As filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission on April 29, 2016
1933 Act File No. 333-30810
1940 Act File No. 811-09819
UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
WASHINGTON, DC 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 |
x | |||
Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 | x | |||
and | ||||
REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 |
x | |||
Amendment No. 217 | x |
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
P.O. Box 5049, Boston, Massachusetts 02206
(Address of Principal Executive Offices)
(617) 664-7037
(Registrants Telephone Number)
Joshua A. Weinberg, Esq.
Vice President and Managing Counsel
SSGA Funds Management, Inc.
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Copy to:
Timothy W. Diggins, Esq.
Ropes & Gray LLP
800 Boylston Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02199-3600
It is proposed that this filing will become effective (check appropriate box):
x | Immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
¨ | On (date) pursuant to paragraph (b) |
¨ | 60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) |
¨ | On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(1) of Rule 485. |
¨ | 75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
¨ | On (date) pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) of Rule 485. |
If appropriate, check the following box:
¨ | This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post-effective amendment. |
Class A | Class I | Class K | |||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | ||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | None | None |
Class A | Class I | Class K | |||
Management Fee | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.02% | ||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||
Other Expenses | 0.37% | 0.37% | 0.17% | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.64% | 0.39% | 0.19% | ||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 | (0.13)% | (0.13)% | (0.13)% | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.51% | 0.26% | 0.06% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.01% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $574 | $707 | $851 | $1,270 | |||
Class I | $ 27 | $112 | $206 | $ 480 | |||
Class K | $ 6 | $ 48 | $ 94 | $ 230 |
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years | 10-Years |
Inception
Date |
||||
Class A | 9/17/2014 | |||||||
Return Before Taxes | -4.52% | 10.77% | 6.23% | |||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -4.83% | 10.40% | 5.83% | |||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -2.30% | 8.57% | 4.95% | |||||
Class I | 1.03% | 12.24% | 7.07% | 9/17/2014 | ||||
Class K | 1.23% | 12.31% | 7.11% | 9/17/2014 | ||||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 12.57% | 7.31% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class I | Class K | |||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 3.75% | None | None | ||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | None | None |
Class A | Class I | Class K | |||
Management Fee | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% | ||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||
Other Expenses | 0.58% | 0.58% | 0.38% | ||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.89% | 0.64% | 0.44% | ||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2,3 | (0.35)% | (0.35)% | (0.35)% | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.54% | 0.29% | 0.09% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.04% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
3 | With respect to the State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, SSGA FM agrees to waive up to the portion of the management fee and/or expenses attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses in connection with the Portfolio's investments in To Be Announced (“TBA”) securities. This fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement may only be terminated with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $428 | $615 | $817 | $1,399 | |||
Class I | $ 30 | $170 | $322 | $ 765 | |||
Class K | $ 9 | $106 | $211 | $ 520 |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/19/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -3.46% | -1.27% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -5.15% | -2.77% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -1.96% | -1.64% | ||||
Class I | 0.60% | 1.89% | 9/19/2014 | |||
Class K | 0.54% | 1.96% | 9/19/2014 | |||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 0.55% | 2.04% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class I | Class K | |||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | ||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | None | None |
Class A | Class I | Class K | |||
Management Fee | 0.06% | 0.06% | 0.06% | ||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||
Other Expenses | 0.67% | 0.67% | 0.47% | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.98% | 0.73% | 0.53% | ||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 | (0.38)% | (0.38)% | (0.38)% | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.60% | 0.35% | 0.15% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.10% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $583 | $785 | $1,003 | $1,630 | |||
Class I | $ 36 | $195 | $ 368 | $ 871 | |||
Class K | $ 15 | $132 | $ 258 | $ 628 |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/17/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -11.12% | -14.31% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -11.42% | -14.61% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -5.91% | -10.78% | ||||
Class I | -5.94% | -10.46% | 9/17/2014 | |||
Class K | -5.94% | -10.42% | 9/17/2014 | |||
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | -5.66% | -9.70% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class I | Class K | |||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | ||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | None | None |
Class A | Class I | Class K | |||
Management Fee | 0.03% | 0.03% | 0.03% | ||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||
Other Expenses 2 | 5.03% | 5.03% | 4.83% | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 5.31% | 5.06% | 4.86% | ||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | (4.78)% | (4.78)% | (4.78)% | ||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.53% | 0.28% | 0.08% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
3 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.03% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $576 | $1,624 | |
Class I | $ 29 | $1,088 | |
Class K | $ 8 | $1,029 |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class I | Class K | |
Availability | Available to the general public through certain Financial Intermediaries. |
Limited
to certain investors, including:
• Certain banks, broker-dealers and other Financial Intermediaries. • Certain employer- sponsored retirement plans. • Certain employees or affiliates of State Street Corporation or its affiliates |
Limited to certain investors, including certain qualified recordkeepers and employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
Class A | Class I | Class K | |
Minimum Initial Investment | $2,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee-based programs where an agreement is in place. | $1,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors (e.g., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. | $10,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. |
Maximum Investment | None. | None. | None. |
Initial (Front-End) Sales Charge | Yes. 5.25% for Equity Funds and 3.75% for Fixed Income Funds, payable at time of purchase. Lower sales charges are available for larger investments. See the chart under “Class A” section of this Prospectus. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. |
Deferred (CDSC) Sales Charge | No, except for purchases of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed within 18 months after purchase. | No. | No. |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% annual fee. | No. | No. |
Redemption Fees | No. | No. | No. |
1 | Class A advanced commission for purchases over $1 million: |
1.00% | First $3 million |
Plus 0.50% | Next $12 million |
Plus 0.25% | Over $15 million |
2 | If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Fund, you will not be assessed a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Distributor pays broker-dealers advanced commissions that are calculated on a year-by-year basis based on the amounts invested during that year. Accordingly, with respect to additional purchase amounts, the advanced commission breakpoint resets annually to the first breakpoint on the anniversary of the first purchase. You may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds if you redeem your shares within 18 months after purchase. |
Amount of Purchase Payment |
Sales
Charge as a % of
Offering Price |
Sales
Charge as a % of
Net Amount Invested |
Financial
Intermediary
Compensation as a % of Offering Price |
Less than $100,000 | 3.75% | 3.90% | 3.25% |
$100,000-$249,999 | 3.25% | 3.36% | 3.00% |
$250,000-$499,999 | 2.25% | 2.30% | 2.00% |
$500,000-$999,999 | 1.75% | 1.78% | 1.50% |
$1,000,000 or More | None | None | Advanced Commission 1, 2 |
1 | Class A advanced commission for purchases over $1 million: |
1.00% | First $3 million |
Plus 0.50% | Next $12 million |
Plus 0.25% | Over $15 million |
2 | If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of the Fund, you will not be assessed a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Distributor pays broker-dealers advanced commissions that are calculated on a year-by-year basis based on the amounts invested during that year. Accordingly, with respect to additional purchase amounts, the advanced commission breakpoint resets annually to the first breakpoint on the anniversary of the first purchase. You may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds if you redeem your shares within 18 months after purchase. |
1. | Your account(s); |
2. | Account(s) of your spouse or domestic partner; |
3. | Account(s) of children under the age of 21 who share your residential address; |
4. | Trust accounts established by any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. If the person(s) who established the trust is deceased, the trust account may be aggregated with the account(s) of the primary beneficiary of the trust; |
5. | Solely controlled business accounts; and |
6. | Single-participant retirement plans of any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. |
1. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions. |
2. | Acquired in exchange for shares of another Class A State Street Fund that were previously assessed a sales charge. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares at the same CDSC rate. |
3. | Bought in State Street Funds that do not offer Class N (no load) shares 1 by officers, directors or trustees, retirees and employees and their immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and any dependent of the person, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code) of: |
• | The State Street Funds |
• | State Street Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates |
4. | Bought by employees of: |
• | Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. |
1 | State Street Funds that offer Class N Shares include: SSGA Clarion Real Estate Fund (SSREX), SSGA Dynamic Small Cap Fund (SVSCX), State Street Disciplined Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SSEMX), SSGA Enhanced Small Cap Fund (SESPX), SSGA High Yield Bond Fund (SSHYX), SSGA International Stock Selection Fund (SSAIX) and SSGA S&P 500 Index Fund (SVSPX). |
• | Financial Intermediaries of financial institutions that have entered into selling agreements with the Funds or Distributor and their subsidiaries and affiliates (or otherwise have an arrangement with a Financial Intermediary or financial institution with respect to sales of Fund shares). This waiver includes the employees' immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents and any dependent of the employee, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code). |
5. | Bought by: |
• | Authorized retirement plans serviced or sponsored by a Financial Intermediary, provided that such Financial Intermediary has entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor or with the Fund with respect to such purchases at NAV. |
• | Investors who are directly rolling over or transferring shares from an established State Street Fund or State Street qualified retirement plan. Rolling over or transferring shares involves the transferring of shares (in-kind); there is no cash movement associated with the transaction. |
• | Clients of Financial Intermediaries that (i) charge an ongoing fee for advisory, management, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor to offer Class A shares through a no-load network or platform, or self-directed brokerage accounts that may or may not charge transaction fees to customers. |
• | Insurance company separate accounts. |
• | Tuition Programs that qualify under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. |
6. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class A shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A and Class C Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
7. | Bought in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which a Fund is a party. However, you may pay a CDSC when you sell the Fund Shares you received in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
1. | If you participate in the Automatic Withdrawal Plan (AWP). Redemptions made on a regular periodic basis ( e.g . monthly) will |
not be subject to any applicable CDSC if they are, in the aggregate, less than or equal to 10% annually of the current market value of the account balance. Redemptions made as part of a required minimum distribution are also included in calculating amounts eligible for this waiver. For information on the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, please see the section of the Prospectus entitled “ Service Options. ” |
2. | If you are a registered participant or beneficial owner of an account and you die or become disabled (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code). This waiver is only available for accounts open prior to the shareholder's or beneficiary's death or disability, and the redemption must be made within one year of such event. Subsequent purchases into such account are not eligible for the CDSC waiver. In order to qualify for this waiver, the Distributor must be notified of such death or disability at the time of the redemption order and be provided with satisfactory evidence of such death or disability. |
3. | Redemptions that represent a required minimum distribution from your IRA Account or other qualifying retirement plan but only if you are at least age 70 1/2. If you maintain more than one IRA, only the assets credited to the IRA that is invested in one or more of the State Street Funds are considered when calculating that portion of your minimum required distribution that qualifies for the waiver. |
4. | A distribution from a qualified retirement plan by reason of the participant's retirement. |
5. | Redemptions that are involuntary and result from a failure to maintain the required minimum balance in an account. |
6. | Exchanges in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which a Fund is a party. However, you may pay a sales charge when you redeem the Fund Shares you receive in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
7. | Exchanges for shares of the same class of another State Street Fund. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares. For purposes of the CDSC, shares will continue to age from the date of the original purchase of the Fund shares. |
8. | Redemption of shares purchased through employer sponsored retirement plans, and deferred compensation plans. The CDSC, however, will not be waived if the plan redeems all of the shares that it owns on behalf of participants prior to the applicable CDSC period, as defined above. |
9. | Redemptions as part of annual IRA custodial fees. |
10. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. |
11. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class C shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
1. | Banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including registered investment advisers and financial planners) purchasing shares on behalf of their clients in: |
• | discretionary and non-discretionary advisory programs; |
• | fund supermarkets; |
• | asset allocation programs; |
• | other programs in which the client pays an asset-based fee for advice or for executing transactions in Fund Shares or for otherwise participating in the program; or |
• | certain other investment programs that do not charge an asset-based fee; |
2. | Qualified state tuition plans described in Section 529 of the Code and donor-advised charitable gift funds (subject to all applicable terms and conditions); |
3. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code; |
4. | Certain other registered open-end investment companies whose shares are distributed by the Distributor; |
5. | Certain retirement and deferred compensation programs established by State Street Corporation or its affiliates for their employees or the Funds' Trustees; |
6. | Current or retired Directors or Trustees of the State Street Funds, officers and employees of SSGA, and any of its subsidiaries, such persons' spouses, and children under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such person is a beneficiary; |
7. | Investments made in connection with certain mergers and/or reorganizations as approved by the Adviser; |
8. | The reinvestment of dividends from Class I shares in additional Class I shares of a Fund; and |
9. | Qualified recordkeepers with a distribution and/or fund servicing agreement maintained with the Funds' Distributor. |
1. | Qualified recordkeepers with an applicable agreement maintained with the Funds' Distributor; |
2. | Defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, endowments and foundations with greater than $10 million in a qualified tax-exempt plan; |
3. | Employers with greater than $10 million in the aggregate between qualified and non-qualified plans that they sponsor; and |
4. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code. |
• | The State Street Funds' transfer agent compiles, monitors and reports account-level information on underlying shareholder activity using two proprietary systems, which are implemented on a risk-based approach designed to identify trading that could adversely impact the State Street Funds; |
• | The State Street Funds' distributor has obtained information from each Financial Intermediary holding shares in an omnibus account with the State Street Funds regarding whether the Financial Intermediary has adopted and maintains procedures that are reasonably designed to protect the Funds against harmful short-term trading; and |
• | With respect to State Street Funds that invest in securities that trade on foreign markets, pursuant to the State Street Funds' fair valuation procedures, pricing adjustments may be made based on information received from a third-party, multi-factor fair valuation pricing service. |
• | If the State Street Funds discover that an investor or a client of a Financial Intermediary has engaged in Excessive Trading, the State Street Fund's distributor may send a notice to the account owner or Financial Intermediary informing them that the account issued a warning and future Excessive Trading may result in further action including suspension or termination of the account; |
• | If the same account engages in another Round Trip following the issuance of a warning, the State Street Funds' distributor will instruct State Street Funds' transfer agent or Financial Intermediary to stop all future purchases on the account for a period of 90 days which will prevent the account from effecting further purchases of the State Street Fund (the “Stop Purchase instruction”); |
• | At the end of 90 days from the date the Stop Purchase instruction was placed on the account, the Stop Purchase instruction will be removed and the account will be eligible to accept additional purchases; and |
• | If, after the Stop Purchase instruction has been removed, the account continues to engage in Excessive Trading, the State Street Funds' distributor will take appropriate action, which may include issuing additional alert notices, placing further Stop Purchase instruction(s) on the account or directing immediate account closure. |
1. | Alter, add, or discontinue any conditions of purchase (including eligibility requirements), redemption, exchange, service, or privilege at any time; |
2. | Accept initial purchases by telephone; |
3. | Freeze any account and/or suspend account services if the State Street Funds has received reasonable notice of a dispute regarding the assets in an account, including notice of a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners, or if we reasonably believe a fraudulent transaction may occur or has occurred; |
4. | Temporarily freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to the State Street Funds of the death of the shareholder until the State Street Funds receive required documentation in good order; |
5. | Alter, impose, discontinue, or waive any redemption fee, account service fee, or other fees charged to a group of shareholders; and |
6. | Redeem an account or suspend account privileges, without the owner's permission to do so, in cases of threatening conduct or activity the State Street Funds believe to be suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal. |
• | Reinvestment Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. If you do not indicate a choice on the application, this option will be automatically assigned. |
• | Income-Earned Option—Capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested, but a check, direct deposit or wire will be sent for each dividend distribution. |
• | Cash Option—A check, wire or direct deposit will be sent for each dividend and capital gain distribution. |
• | Direct Dividends Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically invested in another identically registered State Street Fund of the same share class. |
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
Period
Ended
12/31/14 (a) |
||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $17.27 | $17.00 | |
Investment Operations: | |||
Net investment income (b) | 0.25 | 0.11 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | (0.11) | 0.45 | |
Total from investment operations | 0.14 | 0.56 | |
Less Distributions From: | |||
Net investment income | (0.24) | (0.29) | |
Net increase in net assets | (0.10) | 0.27 | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $17.17 | $17.27 | |
Total Return (c) | 0.78% | 3.28% | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $ 60 | $ 51 | |
Ratios to average net assets: | |||
Gross expenses | 0.608% | 0.700 % (d)(e) | |
Net expenses | 0.479% | 0.507 % (d)(e) | |
Net investment income | 1.43% | 2.32 % (e) | |
Portfolio turnover rate | 5 % (f) | 4 % (g)(h) |
(a) | The Fund's Class A Shares commenced operations on September 17, 2014. |
(b) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Ratio does not include the expenses of the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio. |
(e) | Annualized. |
(f) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio. |
(g) | Portfolio turnover rate is calculated from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio (from 1/1/2014 to 8/10/2014) and the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio (from 8/11/2014 to 12/31/2014). |
(h) | Not annualized. |
Year Ended
12/31/15 |
Period Ended
12/31/14 (a) |
||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $17.27 | $17.00 | |
Investment Operations: | |||
Net investment income (b) | 0.29 | 0.13 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | (0.11) | 0.44 | |
Total from investment operations | 0.18 | 0.57 | |
Less Distributions From: | |||
Net investment income | (0.28) | (0.30) | |
Net increase in net assets | (0.10) | 0.27 | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $17.17 | $17.27 | |
Total Return (c) | 1.03% | 3.35% | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $ 50 | $ 51 | |
Ratios to average net assets: | |||
Gross expenses | 0.361% | 0.450 % (d)(e) | |
Net expenses | 0.222% | 0.258 % (d)(e) | |
Net investment income | 1.66% | 2.57 % (e) | |
Portfolio turnover rate | 5 % (f) | 4 % (g)(h) |
(a) | The Fund's Class I Shares commenced operations on September 17, 2014. |
(b) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Ratio does not include the expenses of the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio. |
(e) | Annualized. |
(f) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio. |
(g) | Portfolio turnover rate is calculated from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio (from 1/1/2014 to 8/10/2014) and the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio (from 8/11/2014 to 12/31/2014). |
(h) | Not annualized. |
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
Period
Ended
12/31/14 (a) |
||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ 17.27 | $17.00 | |
Investment Operations: | |||
Net investment income (b) | 1.45 | 0.14 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | (1.23) | 0.44 | |
Total from investment operations | 0.22 | 0.58 | |
Less Distributions From: | |||
Net investment income | (0.32) | (0.31) | |
Net increase in net assets | (0.10) | 0.27 | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 17.17 | $17.27 | |
Total Return (c) | 1.23% | 3.41% | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $62,064 | $ 51 | |
Ratios to average net assets: | |||
Gross expenses | 0.160% | 0.272 % (d)(e) | |
Net expenses | 0.030% | 0.057 % (d)(e) | |
Net investment income | 8.45% | 2.78 % (e) | |
Portfolio turnover rate | 5 % (f) | 4 % (g)(h) |
(a) | The Fund's Class K Shares commenced operations on September 17, 2014. |
(b) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Ratio does not include the expenses of the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio. |
(e) | Annualized. |
(f) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio. |
(g) | Portfolio turnover rate is calculated from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio (from 1/1/2014 to 8/10/2014) and the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio (from 8/11/2014 to 12/31/2014). |
(h) | Not annualized. |
State
Street Aggregate
Bond Index Fund |
State
Street Global Equity
ex-U.S. Index Fund |
State
Street Small/Mid
Cap Equity Index Fund |
|||||||
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
Period
from
9/19/14* – 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
Period
from
9/17/14* – 12/31/14 |
Period
from
10/16/15* – 12/31/15 |
|||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.14 | $10.00 | $ 9.17 | $10.00 | $10.00 | ||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||
Net investment income (a) | 0.21 | 0.02 | 0.15 | 0.04 | 0.05 | ||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.18) | 0.16 | (0.71) | (0.83) | (0.69) | ||||
Total from investment operations | 0.03 | 0.18 | (0.56) | (0.79) | (0.64) | ||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||
Net investment income | (0.26) | (0.04) | (0.16) | (0.04) | (0.06) | ||||
Net realized gains | (0.14) | – | – | – | – | ||||
Return of capital | (0.02) | – | – | – | – | ||||
Total distributions | (0.42) | (0.04) | (0.16) | (0.04) | (0.06) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.39) | 0.14 | (0.72) | (0.83) | (0.70) | ||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.75 | $10.14 | $ 8.45 | $ 9.17 | $ 9.30 | ||||
Total Return (b) | 0.35% | 1.85 % (c) | (6.17)% | (7.88 )% (c) | (6.27 )% (c) | ||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $ 184 | $ 51 | $ 42 | $ 46 | $ 97 | ||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||
Gross expenses (d) | 0.66% | 0.91 % (e) | 0.70% | 1.17 % (e) | 5.08 % (e) | ||||
Net expenses (d) | 0.31% | 0.52 % (e) | 0.32% | 0.60 % (e) | 0.30 % (e) | ||||
Net investment income | 2.11% | 0.58 % (e) | 1.64% | 1.55 % (e) | 2.55 % (e) | ||||
Portfolio turnover rate (f) | 62% | 16 % (c) | 3% | 0 % (c) | 8 % (c) |
* | Commencement of operations. |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | Not annualized. |
(d) | Ratio does not include the expenses of the corresponding Portfolio. |
(e) | Annualized. |
(f) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the corresponding Portfolio. |
State
Street Aggregate
Bond Index Fund |
State
Street Global Equity
ex-U.S. Index Fund |
State
Street Small/Mid
Cap Equity Index Fund |
|||||||
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
Period
from
9/19/14* – 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
Period
from
9/17/14* – 12/31/14 |
Period
from
10/16/15* – 12/31/15 |
|||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.13 | $10.00 | $ 9.17 | $10.00 | $10.00 | ||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||
Net investment income (loss) (a) | 0.20 | 0.08 | 0.18 | 0.05 | 0.06 | ||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.14) | 0.09 | (0.72) | (0.83) | (0.70) | ||||
Total from investment operations | 0.06 | 0.17 | (0.54) | (0.78) | (0.64) | ||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||
Net investment income | (0.29) | (0.04) | (0.18) | (0.05) | (0.06) | ||||
Net realized gains | (0.14) | – | – | – | – | ||||
Return of capital | (0.02) | – | – | – | – | ||||
Total distributions | (0.45) | (0.04) | (0.18) | (0.05) | (0.06) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.39) | 0.13 | (0.72) | (0.83) | (0.70) | ||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.74 | $10.13 | $ 8.45 | $ 9.17 | $ 9.30 | ||||
Total Return (b) | 0.60% | 1.82 % (c) | (5.94)% | (7.81 )% (c) | (6.18 )% (c) | ||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $4,508 | $4,484 | $ 42 | $ 46 | $ 97 | ||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||
Gross expenses (d) | 0.41% | 0.88 % (e) | 0.45% | 0.92 % (e) | 4.83 % (e) | ||||
Net expenses (d) | 0.06% | 0.28 % (e) | 0.06% | 0.35 % (e) | 0.05 % (e) | ||||
Net investment income | 1.95% | 2.91 % (e) | 1.89% | 1.81 % (e) | 2.80 % (e) | ||||
Portfolio turnover rate (f) | 62% | 16 % (c) | 3% | 0 % (c) | 8 % (c) |
* | Commencement of operations. |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | Not annualized. |
(d) | Ratio does not include the expenses of the corresponding Portfolio. |
(e) | Annualized. |
(f) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the corresponding Portfolio. |
Online: | www.ssgafunds.com | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (800) 647-7327 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITEQABSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 1.15% | 1.15% | 1.15% | 1.15% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 1.70% | 1.70% | 1.70% | 1.50% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 3.10% | 3.85% | 2.85% | 2.65% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (1.35)% | (1.35)% | (1.35)% | (1.35)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 1.75% | 2.50% | 1.50% | 1.30% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 1.30% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $694 | $1,312 |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class C | $353 | $1,051 | |
Class I | $153 | $ 756 | |
Class K | $132 | $ 695 |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $694 | $1,312 | |
Class C | $253 | $1,051 | |
Class I | $153 | $ 756 | |
Class K | $132 | $ 695 |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.85% | 0.85% | 0.85% | 0.85% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 3.83% | 3.83% | 3.83% | 3.63% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 4.93% | 5.68% | 4.68% | 4.48% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (3.43)% | (3.43)% | (3.43)% | (3.43)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 1.50% | 2.25% | 1.25% | 1.05% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A shares and Class I shares. The expense information for Class C shares and Class K shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 1.05% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $670 | $1,637 | $2,606 | $5,035 | |||
Class C | $328 | $1,387 | $2,531 | $5,323 | |||
Class I | $127 | $1,102 | $2,082 | $4,561 | |||
Class K | $107 | $1,043 | $1,989 | $4,398 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $670 | $1,637 | $2,606 | $5,035 | |||
Class C | $228 | $1,387 | $2,531 | $5,323 | |||
Class I | $127 | $1,102 | $2,082 | $4,561 | |||
Class K | $107 | $1,043 | $1,989 | $4,398 |
State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 10/9/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -5.46% | 1.37% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -7.19% | -0.50% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -2.89% | 0.30% | ||||
Class I | 0.10% | 6.14% | 10/9/2014 | |||
FTSE EPRA/NAREIT Developed Rental Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 0.98% | 7.90% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.90% | 0.90% | 0.90% | 0.90% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 0.99% | 0.99% | 0.99% | 0.79% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 2.14% | 2.89% | 1.89% | 1.69% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (0.49)% | (0.49)% | (0.49)% | (0.49)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 1.65% | 2.40% | 1.40% | 1.20% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A shares and Class I shares. The expense information for Class C shares and Class K shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 1.20% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $684 | $1,115 | $1,571 | $2,831 | |||
Class C | $343 | $ 849 | $1,480 | $3,179 | |||
Class I | $143 | $ 546 | $ 976 | $2,172 | |||
Class K | $122 | $ 485 | $ 872 | $1,957 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $684 | $1,115 | $1,571 | $2,831 | |||
Class C | $243 | $ 849 | $1,480 | $3,179 | |||
Class I | $143 | $ 546 | $ 976 | $2,172 | |||
Class K | $122 | $ 485 | $ 872 | $1,957 |
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 1/21/2015 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -11.04% | 7.01% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -12.41% | 6.58% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -5.86% | 5.33% | ||||
Class I | -5.91% | 8.79% | 1/21/2015 | |||
MSCI ACWI IMI Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | -2.19% | 7.22% | ||||
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Composite Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | -10.52% | 5.95% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 0.89% | 0.89% | 0.89% | 0.69% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses 3 | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | 0.01% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.29% | 2.04% | 1.04% | 0.84% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (0.66)% | (0.66)% | (0.66)% | (0.66)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.63% | 1.38% | 0.38% | 0.18% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | Other expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.12% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $586 | $851 | |
Class C | $240 | $576 | |
Class I | $ 39 | $265 | |
Class K | $ 18 | $202 |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $586 | $851 | |
Class C | $140 | $576 | |
Class I | $ 39 | $265 | |
Class K | $ 18 | $202 |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund | 1.15% |
Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund | 0.85% |
Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund | 0.90%* |
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund | 0.14% |
* | The Adviser has agreed (until April 30, 2017) to waive its management fee and/or reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that the total expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees, and any class-specific expenses such as distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency fees) exceed 1.20% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. The Adviser has agreed to waive its entire fee under its Investment Advisory Agreement with the Portfolio. This waiver has no expiration date and may not be terminated unless authorized by the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio. In the absence of the waiver, the Portfolio would pay the Adviser an investment advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.30% of the Portfolio's average daily net assets. The Adviser pays all operating expenses of the Portfolio other than management fees, distribution fees pursuant to the Portfolio's Distribution and Service Plan, if any, brokerage, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including any Trustees' counsel fees), litigation expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and other extraordinary expenses. |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | |
Availability | Available to the general public through certain financial intermediaries. | Available to the general public through certain financial intermediaries. |
Limited
to certain investors, including:
• Certain banks, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries. • Certain employer- sponsored retirement plans. • Certain employees or affiliates of State Street Corporation or its affiliates |
Limited to certain investors, including certain qualified recordkeepers and employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
Minimum Initial Investment | $2,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee-based programs where an agreement is in place. | $2,000 | $1,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors (e.g., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. | $10,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. |
Maximum Investment | None. | $999,999; none for omnibus retirement plans | None. | None. |
Initial (Front-End) Sales Charge | Yes. 5.25%, payable at time of purchase. Lower sales charges are available for larger investments. See the chart under “Class A” section of this Prospectus. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. |
Deferred (CDSC) Sales Charge | No, except for purchases of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed within 18 months after purchase. | Yes, 1.00% payable if you redeem within one year of purchase. See the chart under “Class C” section of this Prospectus. | No. | No. |
Distribution and Service (Rule 12b-1) Fees | 0.25% annual fee. | 1.00% annual fee. | No. | No. |
Redemption Fees | No. | No. | No. | No. |
1 | Class A advanced commission for purchases over $1 million: |
1.00% | First $3 million |
Plus 0.50% | Next $12 million |
Plus 0.25% | Over $15 million |
2 | If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Fund, you will not be assessed a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Distributor pays broker-dealers advanced commissions that are calculated on a year-by-year basis based on the amounts invested during that year. Accordingly, with respect to additional purchase amounts, the advanced commission breakpoint resets annually to the first breakpoint on the anniversary of the first purchase. You may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds if you redeem your shares within 18 months after purchase. |
1. | Your account(s); |
2. | Account(s) of your spouse or domestic partner; |
3. | Account(s) of children under the age of 21 who share your residential address; |
4. | Trust accounts established by any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. If the person(s) who established the trust is deceased, the trust account may be aggregated with the account(s) of the primary beneficiary of the trust; |
5. | Solely controlled business accounts; and |
6. | Single-participant retirement plans of any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. |
1. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions. |
2. | Acquired in exchange for shares of another Class A State Street Fund that were previously assessed a sales charge. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares at the same CDSC rate. |
3. | Bought in State Street Funds that do not offer Class N (no load) shares 1 by officers, directors or trustees, retirees and employees and their immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and any dependent of the person, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code) of: |
• | The State Street Funds |
• | State Street Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates |
4. | Bought by employees of: |
• | Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. |
1 | State Street Funds that offer Class N Shares include: SSGA Clarion Real Estate Fund (SSREX), SSGA Dynamic Small Cap Fund (SVSCX), State Street Disciplined Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SSEMX), SSGA Enhanced Small Cap Fund (SESPX), SSGA High Yield Bond Fund (SSHYX), SSGA International Stock Selection Fund (SSAIX) and SSGA S&P 500 Index Fund (SVSPX). |
• | Financial Intermediaries of financial institutions that have entered into selling agreements with the Funds or Distributor and their subsidiaries and affiliates (or otherwise have an arrangement with a Financial Intermediary or financial institution with respect to sales of Fund shares). This waiver includes the employees' immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents and any dependent of the employee, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code). |
5. | Bought by: |
• | Authorized retirement plans serviced or sponsored by a Financial Intermediary, provided that such Financial Intermediary has entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor or with the Fund with respect to such purchases at NAV. |
• | Investors who are directly rolling over or transferring shares from an established State Street Fund or State Street qualified retirement plan. Rolling over or transferring shares involves the transferring of shares (in-kind); there is no cash movement associated with the transaction. |
• | Clients of Financial Intermediaries that (i) charge an ongoing fee for advisory, management, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor to offer Class A shares through a no-load network or platform, or self-directed brokerage accounts that may or may not charge transaction fees to customers. |
• | Insurance company separate accounts. |
• | Tuition Programs that qualify under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. |
6. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class A shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A and Class C Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
7. | Bought in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which a Fund is a party. However, you may pay a CDSC when you sell the Fund Shares you received in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
Years Since Purchase |
CDSC
As a % of Dollar Amount
Subject to Charge |
0-1 | 1.00 |
After First Year | NONE |
1. | If you participate in the Automatic Withdrawal Plan (AWP). Redemptions made on a regular periodic basis ( e.g . monthly) will not be subject to any applicable CDSC if they are, in the aggregate, less than or equal to 10% annually of the current market value of the account balance. Redemptions made as part of a required minimum distribution are also included in calculating amounts eligible for this waiver. For information on the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, please see the section of the Prospectus entitled “ Service Options. ” |
2. | If you are a registered participant or beneficial owner of an account and you die or become disabled (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code). This waiver is only available for accounts open prior to the shareholder's or beneficiary's death or disability, and the redemption must be made within one year of such event. Subsequent purchases into such account are not eligible for the CDSC waiver. In order to qualify for this waiver, the Distributor must be notified of such death or disability at the time of the redemption order and be provided with satisfactory evidence of such death or disability. |
3. | Redemptions that represent a required minimum distribution from your IRA Account or other qualifying retirement plan but only if you are at least age 70 1/2. If you maintain more than one IRA, only the assets credited to the IRA that is invested in one or more of the State Street Funds are considered when calculating that portion of your minimum required distribution that qualifies for the waiver. |
4. | A distribution from a qualified retirement plan by reason of the participant's retirement. |
5. | Redemptions that are involuntary and result from a failure to maintain the required minimum balance in an account. |
6. | Exchanges in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which a Fund is a party. However, you may pay a sales charge when you redeem the Fund Shares you receive in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
7. | Exchanges for shares of the same class of another State Street Fund. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares. For purposes of the CDSC, shares will continue to age from the date of the original purchase of the Fund shares. |
8. | Redemption of shares purchased through employer sponsored retirement plans, and deferred compensation plans. The CDSC, however, will not be waived if the plan redeems all of the shares that it owns on behalf of participants prior to the applicable CDSC period, as defined above. |
9. | Redemptions as part of annual IRA custodial fees. |
10. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. |
11. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class C shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A and Class C Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
1. | Banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including registered investment advisers and financial planners) purchasing shares on behalf of their clients in: |
• | discretionary and non-discretionary advisory programs; |
• | fund supermarkets; |
• | asset allocation programs; |
• | other programs in which the client pays an asset-based fee for advice or for executing transactions in Fund Shares or for otherwise participating in the program; or |
• | certain other investment programs that do not charge an asset-based fee; |
2. | Qualified state tuition plans described in Section 529 of the Code and donor-advised charitable gift funds (subject to all applicable terms and conditions); |
3. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code; |
4. | Certain other registered open-end investment companies whose shares are distributed by the Distributor; |
5. | Certain retirement and deferred compensation programs established by State Street Corporation or its affiliates for their employees or the Funds' Trustees; |
6. | Current or retired Directors or Trustees of the State Street Funds, officers and employees of SSGA, and any of its subsidiaries, such persons' spouses, and children under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such person is a beneficiary; |
7. | Investments made in connection with certain mergers and/or reorganizations as approved by the Adviser; |
8. | The reinvestment of dividends from Class I shares in additional Class I shares of a Fund; and |
9. | Qualified recordkeepers with a distribution and/or fund servicing agreement maintained with the Funds' Distributor. |
1. | Qualified recordkeepers with an applicable agreement maintained with the Funds' Distributor; |
2. | Defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, endowments and foundations with greater than $10 million in a qualified tax-exempt plan; |
3. | Employers with greater than $10 million in the aggregate between qualified and non-qualified plans that they sponsor; and |
4. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code. |
• | The State Street Funds' transfer agent compiles, monitors and reports account-level information on underlying shareholder activity using two proprietary systems, which are implemented on a risk-based approach designed to identify trading that could adversely impact the State Street Funds; |
• | The State Street Funds' distributor has obtained information from each Financial Intermediary holding shares in an omnibus account with the State Street Funds regarding whether the Financial Intermediary has adopted and maintains procedures that are reasonably designed to protect the Funds against harmful short-term trading; and |
• | With respect to State Street Funds that invest in securities that trade on foreign markets, pursuant to the State Street Funds' fair valuation procedures, pricing adjustments may be made based on information received from a third-party, multi-factor fair valuation pricing service. |
• | If the State Street Funds discover that an investor or a client of a Financial Intermediary has engaged in Excessive Trading, the State Street Fund's distributor may send a notice to the account owner or Financial Intermediary informing them that the account issued a warning and future Excessive Trading may result in further action including suspension or termination of the account; |
• | If the same account engages in another Round Trip following the issuance of a warning, the State Street Funds' distributor will instruct State Street Funds' transfer agent or Financial Intermediary to stop all future purchases on the account for a period of 90 days which will prevent the account from effecting further purchases of the State Street Fund (the “Stop Purchase instruction”); |
• | At the end of 90 days from the date the Stop Purchase instruction was placed on the account, the Stop Purchase instruction will be removed and the account will be eligible to accept additional purchases; and |
• | If, after the Stop Purchase instruction has been removed, the account continues to engage in Excessive Trading, the State Street Funds' distributor will take appropriate action, which may include issuing additional alert notices, placing further Stop Purchase instruction(s) on the account or directing immediate account closure. |
1. | Alter, add, or discontinue any conditions of purchase (including eligibility requirements), redemption, exchange, service, or privilege at any time; |
2. | Accept initial purchases by telephone; |
3. | Freeze any account and/or suspend account services if the State Street Funds has received reasonable notice of a dispute regarding the assets in an account, including notice of a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners, or if we reasonably believe a fraudulent transaction may occur or has occurred; |
4. | Temporarily freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to the State Street Funds of the death of the shareholder until the State Street Funds receive required documentation in good order; |
5. | Alter, impose, discontinue, or waive any redemption fee, account service fee, or other fees charged to a group of shareholders; and |
6. | Redeem an account or suspend account privileges, without the owner's permission to do so, in cases of threatening conduct or activity the State Street Funds believe to be suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal. |
• | Reinvestment Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. If you do not indicate a choice on the application, this option will be automatically assigned. |
• | Income-Earned Option—Capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested, but a check, direct deposit or wire will be sent for each dividend distribution. |
• | Cash Option—A check, wire or direct deposit will be sent for each dividend and capital gain distribution. |
• | Direct Dividends Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically invested in another identically registered State Street Fund of the same share class. |
1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year | 7 Year |
Since
Inception
(10/1/2007) |
|
Composite Net of Class A Fees and Expenses (reflects the impact of Class A maximum front-end sales load) 4 | (6.25)% | 3.02% | 2.44% | 16.49% | 1.11% |
Composite Net of Class A Fees and Expenses (does not reflect the impact of Class A front-end sales load) 4 | (1.06)% | 4.89% | 3.55% | 17.40% | 1.77% |
Composite Net of Class C Fees and Expenses (reflects the impact of Class C maximum deferred sales load) | (2.80)% | 3.74% | 2.55% | 16.33% | 0.87% |
Composite Net of Class C Fees and Expenses (does not reflect the impact of Class C deferred sales load) | (1.81)% | 4.09% | 2.76% | 16.50% | 1.00% |
Composite Net of Class I Fees and Expenses | (0.81)% | 5.16% | 3.81% | 17.69% | 2.03% |
Composite Net of Class K Fees and Expenses | (0.61)% | 5.37% | 4.02% | 17.93% | 2.24% |
Composite Gross of Fees and Expenses | 0.70% | 6.76% | 5.39% | 19.49% | 3.58% |
MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index 5 | (6.85)% | (1.67)% | (3.29)% | 12.64% | (0.64)% |
2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
Composite Net of Class A Fees and Expenses 7 | 94.05% | 33.01% | 18.83% | 27.10% | 5.46% | 10.59% | (1.06)% |
Composite Net of Class C Fees and Expenses 7 | 92.57% | 32.00% | -19.45% | 26.13% | 4.66% | 9.75% | (1.81)% |
Composite Net of Class I Fees and Expenses | 94.55% | 33.35% | -18.62% | 27.42% | 5.73% | 10.87% | (0.81)% |
Composite Net of Class K Fees and Expenses | 94.94% | 33.62% | -18.46% | 27.68% | 5.95% | 11.10% | (0.61)% |
Composite Gross of Fees and Expenses | 97.51% | 35.38% | -17.38% | 29.37% | 7.34% | 12.56% | 0.70% |
MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index 5 | 113.79% | 27.17% | -27.18% | 22.22% | 1.04% | 1.011% | (6.85)% |
1 | The State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund represents substantially the same management process and approach as the SSGA Active Emerging Markets Small Cap Composite. |
2 | Each SSGA-Global discretionary account included in the SSGA Active Emerging Markets Small Cap Composite seeks to provide a total investment return in excess of the performance of its benchmark index over the long term. The SSGA Active Emerging Markets Small Cap Composite has no minimum asset level for inclusion. |
3 | In general, new accounts are included in the Composite at the beginning of the first full month under management on a discretionary basis. Terminated accounts are removed from the Composite after the last full month under management or the last full month in which SSGA-Global maintained discretionary management over the account. Following termination, the performance history of the terminated accounts will remain in the Composite. Monthly rates of return on separate accounts are calculated at least monthly and are increasingly adopting daily methodology. For periods longer than one month, account returns are geometrically linked monthly. Trade-date accounting methodology is used, providing a true time-weighted return. |
4 | Does not reflect the impact of Class A shares contingent deferred sales charge on redemptions of Class A shares within 18 months of purchase in certain circumstances. |
5 | The benchmark for the SSGA Active Emerging Markets Small Cap Composite is the MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index. The index returns are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses. The index returns reflect all items of income, gain and loss and the reinvestment of dividends (net of withholding tax rates) and other income and are calculated in U.S. dollars. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. |
6 | Composite annual total returns net of Class A and Class C share fees and expenses do not reflect front-end or deferred sales loads that may be applicable to Class A and Class C shares. If these amounts were reflected, returns would be less than those shown. |
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
Period
from
10/9/14*-12/31/14 |
||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.64 | $10.00 | |
Investment Operations: | |||
Net investment income (a) | 0.18 | 0.04 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.22) | 0.72 | |
Total from investment operations | (0.04) | 0.76 | |
Less Distributions From: | |||
Net investment income | (0.23) | (0.11) | |
Net realized gain | (0.27) | (0.01) | |
Total distributions | (0.50) | (0.12) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.54) | 0.64 | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $10.10 | $10.64 | |
Total Return (b) | (0.32)% | 7.52% (c) | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $2,526 | $2,659 | |
Ratios to average net assets: | |||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 4.71% | 6.51% (d) | |
Expenses net of waivers and payments by affiliates | 1.30% | 1.50% (d) | |
Net investment income | 1.74% | 1.76% (d) | |
Portfolio turnover rate | 93% | 11% (c) |
* | Commencement of operations. |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | Not annualized. |
(d) | Annualized. |
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
Period
from
10/9/14*-12/31/14 |
||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.63 | $10.00 | |
Investment Operations: | |||
Net investment income (loss) (a) | 0.20 | 0.05 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.21) | 0.70 | |
Total from investment operations | (0.01) | 0.75 | |
Less Distributions From: | |||
Net investment income | (0.25) | (0.11) | |
Net realized gains | (0.27) | (0.01) | |
Total distributions | (0.52) | (0.12) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.53) | 0.63 | |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $10.10 | $10.63 | |
Total Return (b) | 0.01% | 7.49% (c) | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $2,526 | $2,659 | |
Ratios to average net assets: | |||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 4.46% | 6.26% (d) | |
Expenses net of waivers and payments by affiliates | 1.05% | 1.25% (d) | |
Net investment income | 1.93% | 2.01% (d) | |
Portfolio turnover rate | 93% | 11% (c) |
* | Commencement of operations. |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | Not annualized. |
(d) | Annualized. |
Period
from
1/21/15*-12/31/15 |
|
Per Share Operating Performance: | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.00 |
Investment Operations: | |
Net investment income (a) | 0.16 |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.78) |
Total from investment operations | (0.62) |
Less Distributions From: | |
Net investment income | (0.42) |
Net realized gain | (0.00) (b) |
Total distributions | (0.42) |
Net decrease in net assets | (1.04) |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 8.96 |
Total Return (c) | (6.13)% |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $1,923 |
Ratios to average net assets: | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 1.99% (d) |
Expenses net of waivers and payments by affiliates | 1.45% (d) |
Net investment income | 1.73% (d) |
Portfolio turnover rate (e) | 54% (f) |
* | Commencement of operations |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the Portfolio. |
(f) | Not annualized |
Period
from
1/21/15*-12/31/15 |
|
Per Share Operating Performance: | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ 10.00 |
Investment Operations: | |
Net investment income (loss) (a) | 0.18 |
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments | (0.78) |
Total from investment operations | (0.60) |
Less Distributions From: | |
Net investment income | (0.44) |
Net realized gains | (0.00) (b) |
Total distributions | (0.44) |
Net decrease in net assets | (1.04) |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 8.96 |
Total Return (c) | (5.91)% |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $12,860 |
Ratios to average net assets: | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 1.74% (d) |
Expenses net of waivers and payments by affiliates | 1.20% (d) |
Net investment income | 1.97% (d) |
Portfolio turnover rate (e) | 54% (f) |
* | Commencement of operations |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the Portfolio. |
(f) | Not annualized. |
Period
from
12/21/15* to 12/31/15 |
|
Per Share Operating Performance: | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ 10.00 |
Investment Operations: | |
Net investment income (a) | 0.02 |
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments | (0.01) |
Total from investment operations | 0.01 |
Less Distributions From: | |
Net investment income | (0.02) |
Total distributions | (0.02) |
Net decrease in net assets | (0.01) |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.99 |
Total Return (b) | 0.14% |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $165,807 |
Ratios to average net assets: | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates (c) | 0.83% |
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates (c) | 0.17% |
Net investment income (c) | 8.03% |
Portfolio turnover rate (d) | 0.03% |
* | Commencement of operations. |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of the Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | Annualized. |
(d) | Not annualized. |
Online: | www.ssgafunds.com | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (800) 647-7327 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITEMCGSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.02% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.15% |
Other Expenses | 0.17% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.34% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 1 | (0.13)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.21% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.01% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$22 | $96 | $178 | $418 |
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years | 10-Years |
Inception
Date |
||||
Administrative Shares | 4/18/2001 | |||||||
Return Before Taxes | 1.08% | 12.27% | 7.10% | |||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 0.69% | 11.88% | 6.68% | |||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 0.94% | 9.82% | 5.68% | |||||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 12.57% | 7.31% |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
Year
Ended
12/31/14 |
Year
Ended
12/31/13 |
Year
Ended
12/31/12 |
Year
Ended
12/31/11 |
|||||
Per Share Operating Performance: (a) | |||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year | $ 17.27 | $ 15.50 | $ 11.94 | $ 10.51 | $ 10.52 | ||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||
Net investment income (b) | 0.31 | 0.29 | 0.26 | 0.24 | 0.20 | ||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.12) | 1.79 | 3.56 | 1.42 | (0.01) | ||||
Total from investment operations | 0.19 | 2.08 | 3.82 | 1.66 | 0.19 | ||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||
Net investment income | (0.29) | (0.31) | (0.26) | (0.23) | (0.20) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.10) | 1.77 | 3.56 | 1.43 | (0.01) | ||||
Net Asset Value, End of Year | $ 17.17 | $ 17.27 | $ 15.50 | $ 11.94 | $ 10.51 | ||||
Total Return (c) | 1.08% | 13.41% | 31.97% | 15.84% | 1.79% | ||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (000s) | $261,038 | $248,180 | $230,330 | $185,918 | $161,813 | ||||
Ratios to average net assets: (a) | |||||||||
Gross expenses | 0.311% | 0.300 % (d) | 0.245% | 0.245% | 0.245% | ||||
Net expenses | 0.180% | 0.231 % (d) | 0.245% | 0.245% | 0.245% | ||||
Net investment income | 1.76% | 1.78% | 1.84% | 2.06% | 1.83% | ||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 5 % (e) | 4 % (f) | 4 % (g) | 9 % (g) | 15 % (g) |
(a) | Prior to August 11, 2014, the per share amounts and percentages included the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio. |
(b) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Ratio includes expenses allocated from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio from 1/1/2014 through 8/10/2014, and does not include the expenses of the State Street Equity Index II Portfolio from 8/11/2014 through 12/31/2014. |
(e) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio. |
(f) | Portfolio turnover rate is calculated from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio (from 1/1/2014 to 8/10/2014) and the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio (from 8/11/2014 to 12/31/2014). |
(g) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio. |
Online: | www.ssgafunds.com | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (800) 647-7327 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITEQ5ADSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.02% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.60% |
Other Expenses | 0.17% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.79% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 1 | (0.13)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.66% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.01% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$67 | $239 | $426 | $966 |
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years | 10-Years |
Inception
Date |
||||
Class R Shares | 6/7/2005 | |||||||
Return Before Taxes | 0.58% | 11.76% | 6.61% | |||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 0.29% | 11.47% | 6.31% | |||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 0.57% | 9.40% | 5.29% | |||||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 12.57% | 7.31% |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
Year
Ended
12/31/14 |
Year
Ended
12/31/13 |
Year
Ended
12/31/12 |
Year
Ended
12/31/11 |
|||||
Per Share Operating Performance: (a) | |||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year | $ 17.26 | $ 15.49 | $ 11.93 | $ 10.51 | $ 10.51 | ||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||
Net investment income (b) | 0.19 | 0.22 | 0.19 | 0.19 | 0.15 | ||||
Net realized and unrealized gain on investments | (0.09) | 1.78 | 3.56 | 1.41 | – | ||||
Total from investment operations | 0.10 | 2.00 | 3.75 | 1.60 | 0.15 | ||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||
Net investment income | (0.21) | (0.23) | (0.19) | (0.18) | (0.15) | ||||
Net increase in net assets | (0.11) | 1.77 | 3.56 | 1.42 | 0.00 | ||||
Net Asset Value, End of Year | $ 17.15 | $ 17.26 | $ 15.49 | $ 11.93 | $ 10.51 | ||||
Total Return (c) | 0.58% | 12.91% | 31.40% | 15.22% | 1.42% | ||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (000s) | $37,845 | $41,148 | $32,555 | $21,954 | $16,363 | ||||
Ratios to average net assets: (a) | |||||||||
Gross expenses | 0.761% | 0.754 % (d) | 0.695% | 0.695% | 0.695% | ||||
Net Expenses | 0.630% | 0.680 % (d) | 0.695% | 0.695% | 0.695% | ||||
Net investment income | 1.09% | 1.37% | 1.40% | 1.62% | 1.40% | ||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 5 % (e) | 4 % (f) | 4 % (g) | 9 % (g) | 15 % (g) |
(a) | Prior to August 11, 2014, the per share amounts and percentages included the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio. |
(b) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Ratio includes expenses allocated from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio from 1/1/2014 through 8/10/2014, and does not include the expenses of the State Street Equity Index II Portfolio from 8/11/2014 through 12/31/2014. |
(e) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio. |
(f) | Portfolio turnover rate is calculated from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio (from 1/1/2014 to 8/10/2014) and the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio (from 8/11/2014 to 12/31/2014). |
(g) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio. |
Online: | www.ssgafunds.com | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (800) 647-7327 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITCLRSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.02% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% |
Other Expenses | 0.17% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.44% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 1 | (0.13)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.31% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.01% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$32 | $128 | $233 | $542 |
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years | 10-Years |
Inception
Date |
||||
Service Shares | 3/10/2003 | |||||||
Return Before Taxes | 0.98% | 12.16% | 6.99% | |||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 0.61% | 11.78% | 6.60% | |||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 0.87% | 9.72% | 5.59% | |||||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 12.57% | 7.31% |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
Year
Ended
12/31/14 |
Year
Ended
12/31/13 |
Year
Ended
12/31/12 |
Year
Ended
12/31/11 |
|||||
Per Share Operating Performance: (a) | |||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year | $ 17.25 | $ 15.49 | $ 11.92 | $ 10.50 | $ 10.51 | ||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||
Net investment income (b) | 0.22 | 0.28 | 0.24 | 0.23 | 0.19 | ||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.05) | 1.77 | 3.57 | 1.41 | (0.01) | ||||
Total from investment operations | 0.17 | 2.05 | 3.81 | 1.64 | 0.18 | ||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||
Net investment income | (0.27) | (0.29) | (0.24) | (0.22) | (0.19) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.10) | 1.76 | 3.57 | 1.42 | (0.01) | ||||
Net Asset Value, End of Year | $ 17.15 | $ 17.25 | $ 15.49 | $ 11.92 | $ 10.50 | ||||
Total Return (c) | 0.98% | 13.24% | 31.97% | 15.64% | 1.69% | ||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||
Net Assets, End of Year (000s) | $104,730 | $126,412 | $124,885 | $88,416 | $77,600 | ||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||
Gross expenses | 0.411% | 0.401 % (d) | 0.345% | 0.345% | 0.345% | ||||
Net expenses | 0.280% | 0.331 % (d) | 0.345% | 0.345% | 0.345% | ||||
Net investment income | 1.25% | 1.73% | 1.74% | 1.96% | 1.74% | ||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 5 % (e) | 4 % (f) | 4 % (g) | 9 % (g) | 15 % (g) |
(a) | Prior to August 11, 2014, the per share amounts and percentages included the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio. |
(b) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Ratio includes expenses allocated from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio from 1/1/2014 through 8/10/2014, and does not include the expenses of the State Street Equity Index II Portfolio from 8/11/2014 through 12/31/2014. |
(e) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio. |
(f) | Portfolio turnover rate is calculated from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio (from 1/1/2014 to 8/10/2014) and the State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio (from 8/11/2014 to 12/31/2014). |
(g) | Portfolio turnover rate is from the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio. |
Online: | www.ssgafunds.com | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (800) 647-7327 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITSERVSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00% |
Other Expenses | 0.05% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1 | 0.10% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$10 | $32 | $56 | $128 |
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years | 10-Years |
Inception
Date |
||||
Class M | 0.14% | 0.14% | 1.44% | 12/15/2011 |
To establish an account | $750,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
• | more than three years after the end of the fiscal year for the Fund in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; |
• | in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; |
• | to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of the Fund on that day; |
• | to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Fund's net yield to fall below the Fund's minimum net yield as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion; or |
• | in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain the Fund's contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
By Mail: |
An
initial investment in the Fund must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, sent to:
State Street Funds P.O. Box 8048 Boston, Massachusetts 02205-8048 |
By Overnight: |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, Massachusetts 02021-2809 |
By Telephone/Fax: |
An initial investment in the Fund must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, faxed to (816) 218-0400. Call the Fund at (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. ET to: |
➣ confirm
receipt of the faxed Institutional Account Application Form (initial purchases only),
➣ request your new account number (initial purchases only), ➣ confirm the amount being wired and wiring bank, and ➣ receive a confirmation number for your purchase order (your trade is not effective until you have received a confirmation number from the Fund). |
For your initial investment, send the original, signed Institutional Account Application Form to the address above. |
Wire Instructions: |
Instruct
your bank to transfer money by Federal Funds wire to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02110 |
ABA#
011000028
DDA# 9905-801-8 State Street Institutional Investment Trust State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund Class Name Account Number Account Registration |
On Columbus Day and Veterans Day, you will not be able to purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds because the Federal Funds wiring does not occur on those days. Payment for Fund Shares must be in Federal Funds (or converted to Federal Funds by the Transfer Agent) by the close of the Federal Reserve. |
You will not be able to redeem shares from the account until the original Application has been received. The Fund and the Fund's agents are not responsible for transfer errors by the sending or receiving bank and will not be liable for any loss incurred due to a wire transfer not having been received. |
• | Your account address has changed within the last 10 business days. |
• | Redemption proceeds are being transferred to an account with a different registration. |
• | A wire is being sent to a financial institution other than the one that has been established on your Fund account. |
• | Other unusual situations as determined by the Transfer Agent. |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Period |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
Distributions
from Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions |
||||||||
Period Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
Class M | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $0.0014 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0014 | $(0.0014) | $ – | $(0.0014) | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $0.0009 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0009 | $(0.0009) | $ – | $(0.0009) | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $0.0012 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0012 | $(0.0012) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0012) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $0.0022 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0022 | $(0.0022) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0022) | |||||||
2011 (f) | $1.0000 | $0.0001 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0001 | $(0.0001) | $ – | $(0.0001) |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the corresponding Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
(f) | The Fund's Class M Shares commenced operations on December 15, 2011. |
** | Annualized. |
Net Asset
Value End of Period |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Period Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Net
Investment Income |
Expense
Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Class M | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.14% | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.14% | – | $1,455,514 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.09% | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.09% | – | $1,626,315 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.12% | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.12% | – | $2,825,313 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.22% | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.22% | – | $1,897,611 | |||||||
2011 (f) | $1.0000 | 0.01% | 0.10%** | 0.10%** | 0.17%** | – | $2,012,117 |
Online: | www.ssga.com/cash | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (877) 521-4083 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITCLMSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None | None | None | None | None | ||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None | None | None | None | None |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | ||||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
Other Expenses 1 | 0.10% | 0.27% | 0.32% | 0.15% | 0.07% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2 | 0.15% | 0.37% | 0.47% | 0.20% | 0.12% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year for the Institutional Class, Administration Class and Investor Class shares. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, for the Premier Class, Institutional Class, Administration Class and Investor Class, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. As of December 31, 2015, for the Investment Class, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $5,892,527, since October 1, 2012, none of which is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Institutional Class | $15 | $ 48 | $ 85 | $192 | |||
Administration Class | $38 | $119 | $208 | $468 | |||
Investment Class | $48 | $151 | $263 | $591 | |||
Investor Class | $20 | $ 64 | $113 | $255 | |||
Premier Class | $12 | $ 39 | $ 68 | $154 |
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
10-Years
or Since Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Premier Class | 0.12% | 0.13% | 1.43% | 8/12/2004 | ||||
Investment Class | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.44% | 10/15/2007 |
Institutional Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Administration Class | |
To establish an account | $5,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investment Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investor Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Premier Class | |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None | None | None | None | None | ||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None | None | None | None | None |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | ||||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
Other Expenses 1 | 0.10% | 0.27% | 0.32% | 0.15% | 0.07% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2 | 0.15% | 0.37% | 0.47% | 0.20% | 0.12% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year for the Institutional Class, Administration Class and Investor Class shares. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, for the Institutional Class, Administration Class and Investor Class, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. As of December 31, 2015, for the Investment Class and Premier Class, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $8,199,514 and $9,402,526, respectively, since October 1, 2012, of which $615,321 and $9,099,693, respectively, for the Investment Class and Premier Class is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Institutional Class | $15 | $ 48 | $ 85 | $192 | |||
Administration Class | $38 | $119 | $208 | $468 | |||
Investment Class | $48 | $151 | $263 | $591 | |||
Investor Class | $20 | $ 64 | $113 | $255 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Premier Class | $12 | $39 | $68 | $154 |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
• | Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities. |
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Premier Class | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.41% | 10/25/2007 | ||||
Investment Class | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.33% | 10/17/2007 |
Institutional Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Administration Class | |
To establish an account | $5,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investment Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investor Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Premier Class | |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None | None | None | None | None | ||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None | None | None | None | None |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | ||||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
Other Expenses 1 | 0.10% | 0.27% | 0.32% | 0.15% | 0.07% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2 | 0.15% | 0.37% | 0.47% | 0.20% | 0.12% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year for the Institutional Class, Administration Class and Investor Class shares. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, for the Institutional Class, Administration Class and Investor Class, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. As of December 31, 2015, for the Investment Class and Premier Class, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $19,312,909 and $21,404,964, respectively, since October 1, 2012, of which $1,926,145 and $20,700,238, respectively, for the Investment Class and Premier Class is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Institutional Class | $15 | $ 48 | $ 85 | $192 | |||
Administration Class | $38 | $119 | $208 | $468 | |||
Investment Class | $48 | $151 | $263 | $591 | |||
Investor Class | $20 | $ 64 | $113 | $255 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Premier Class | $12 | $39 | $68 | $154 |
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Premier Class | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.23% | 10/25/2007 | ||||
Investment Class | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.18% | 10/25/2007 |
Institutional Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Administration Class | |
To establish an account | $5,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investment Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investor Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Premier Class | |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None | None | None | None | None | ||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None | None | None | None | None |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | ||||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00% | 0.05% | 0.10% | 0.00% | 0.00% | ||||
Other Expenses 1 | 0.12% | 0.29% | 0.34% | 0.17% | 0.09% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.17% | 0.39% | 0.49% | 0.22% | 0.14% | ||||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 | (0.02)% | (0.02)% | (0.02)% | (0.02)% | (0.02)% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.15% | 0.37% | 0.47% | 0.20% | 0.12% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year for the Institutional Class, Administration Class and Investor Class shares. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees, as measured on an annualized basis) exceed 0.07% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Adviser may also voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, for the Institutional Class, Administration Class and Investor Class, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. As of December 31, 2015, for the Investment Class and Premier Class, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $1,129,582 and $4,728,573, respectively, since October 1, 2012, of which $134,969 and $3,788,577, respectively, for the Investment Class and Premier Class is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Institutional Class | $15 | $ 53 | $ 94 | $215 | |||
Administration Class | $38 | $123 | $217 | $491 | |||
Investment Class | $48 | $155 | $272 | $614 | |||
Investor Class | $20 | $ 69 | $122 | $278 | |||
Premier Class | $12 | $ 43 | $ 77 | $177 |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Premier Class | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.29% | 10/24/2007 | ||||
Investment Class | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.24% | 10/24/2007 |
Institutional Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Administration Class | |
To establish an account | $5,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investment Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investor Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Premier Class | |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
• | Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities. |
• | more than three years after the end of the fiscal year for the Fund in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; |
• | in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; |
• | to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of a Fund on that day; |
• | to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Fund's net yield to fall below the Fund's minimum net yield as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion; or |
• | in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain a Fund's contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
Institutional Class | Administration Class | Investment Class | Investor Class | Premier Class | |
Minimum Initial Investment | $25,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $25,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $500,000,000 |
Maximum Investment | None. | None. | None. | None. | None. |
Initial Sales Charge | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. |
Deferred (CDSC) Sales Charge | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | No. | 0.05% annual fee. | 0.10% annual fee. | No. | No. |
Redemption Fees | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. |
By Mail: |
An
initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, sent to:
State Street Funds P.O. Box 8048 Boston, Massachusetts 02205-8048 |
By Overnight: |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, Massachusetts 02021-2809 |
By Telephone/Fax: |
An initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, faxed to (816) 218-0400. Call the Fund at (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. ET to: |
➣ confirm
receipt of the faxed Institutional Account Application Form (initial purchases only),
➣ request your new account number (initial purchases only), ➣ confirm the amount being wired and wiring bank, and ➣ receive a confirmation number for your purchase order (your trade is not effective until you have received a confirmation number from the Fund). |
For your initial investment, send the original, signed Institutional Account Application Form to the address above. |
Wire Instructions: |
Instruct
your bank to transfer money by Federal Funds wire to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02110 |
ABA#
011000028
DDA# 9905-801-8 State Street Institutional Investment Trust Fund Name Class Name Account Number Account Registration |
On Columbus Day and Veterans Day, you will not be able to purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds because the Federal Funds wiring does not occur on those days. Payment for Fund Shares must be in Federal Funds (or converted to Federal Funds by the Transfer Agent) by the close of the Federal Reserve. |
You will not be able to redeem shares from the account until the original Application has been received . The Funds and the Funds' agents are not responsible for transfer errors by the sending or receiving bank and will not be liable for any loss incurred due to a wire transfer not having been received. |
• | Your account address has changed within the last 10 business days. |
• | Redemption proceeds are being transferred to an account with a different registration. |
• | A wire is being sent to a financial institution other than the one that has been established on your Fund account. |
• | Other unusual situations as determined by the Transfer Agent. |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Period |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
Distributions
from Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions |
||||||||
Period Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $0.0012 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0012 | $(0.0012) | $ – | $(0.0012) | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $0.0008 | $(0.0001) | $0.0007 | $(0.0007) | $ – | $(0.0007) | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $0.0010 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0010 | $(0.0010) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0010) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $0.0020 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0020 | $(0.0020) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0020) | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $0.0015 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0015 | $(0.0015) | $ – | $(0.0015) | |||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the corresponding Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
Net Asset
Value End of Period |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Period Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Net
Investment Income |
Expense
Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.12% | – | $45,207,442 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.07% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.07% | – | $37,932,781 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.10% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.10% | – | $29,850,029 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.20% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.20% | – | $24,408,802 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.15% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.15% | – | $19,597,264 | |||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.24% | 0.00% (e) | 0.23% | $ 485,292 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.19% | 0.00% (e) | 0.28% | $ 726,910 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.22% | 0.00% (e) | 0.25% | $ 1,013,152 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.32% | 0.00% (e) | 0.15% | $ 961,168 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.46% | 0.27% | 0.00% (e) | 0.19% | $ 992,736 |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Year |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
||||||
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0000 | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $(0.0000) (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | $ – | |||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0001 | $ – | $ 0.0001 | $(0.0001) | |||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0003 | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0003 | $(0.0003) | |||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0002 | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0002 | $(0.0002) | |||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ 0.0000 (d) | $ – | |||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $(0.0000) (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | $ – | |||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ 0.0000 (d) | $ – | |||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0000 (d) | $ – | |||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $(0.0001) | $0.0001 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $ – |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
Net
Asset
Value End of Year |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Investment
Income |
Net
Expense Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.12% | 0.09% | 0.00% (e) | 0.03% | $13,516,264 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.12% | 0.07% | 0.00% (e) | 0.05% | $10,962,800 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.01% | 0.12% | 0.09% | 0.01% | 0.03% | $ 7,189,250 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.03% | 0.13% | 0.12% | 0.03% | 0.01% | $ 7,114,213 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.02% | 0.12% | 0.10% | 0.02% | 0.02% | $ 5,139,795 | |||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.10% | 0.00% (e) | 0.37% | $ 971,551 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.07% | 0.00% (e) | 0.40% | $ 615,706 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.10% | 0.00% (e) | 0.37% | $ 691,469 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.14% | 0.00% (e) | 0.33% | $ 654,978 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.11% | 0.00% (e) | 0.36% | $ 638,101 |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Year |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
on
Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
Distributions
from Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions |
||||||||
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $ – | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0001 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0001 | $(0.0001) | $ – | $(0.0001) | |||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $(0.0010) | $0.0010 | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
Net Asset
Value End of Year |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Net
Investment Income |
Expense
Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.12% | 0.04% | 0.00% (e) | 0.08% | $10,412,966 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.12% | 0.04% | 0.00% (e) | 0.08% | $ 8,338,818 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.12% | 0.07% | 0.00% (e) | 0.05% | $11,949,583 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.12% | 0.08% | 0.00% (e) | 0.04% | $10,151,078 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.01% | 0.13% | 0.03% | 0.00% (e) | 0.10% | $ 9,426,334 | |||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.04% | 0.00% (e) | 0.43% | $ 724,683 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.05% | 0.00% (e) | 0.42% | $ 741,248 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.07% | 0.00% (e) | 0.40% | $ 1,407,207 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.08% | 0.00% (e) | 0.39% | $ 1,475,932 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.48% | 0.05% | 0.00% (e) | 0.43% | $ 1,381,305 |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Year |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
Distributions
from Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions |
||||||||
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $(0.0001) | $0.0001 | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0002 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0002 | $(0.0002) | $ – | $(0.0002) | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0001 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0001 | $(0.0001) | $ – | $(0.0001) | |||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $(0.0001) | $0.0001 | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
Net Asset
Value End of Year |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Net
Investment Income |
Expense
Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.14% | 0.06% | 0.00% (e) | 0.08% | $1,684,652 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.13% | 0.05% | 0.00% (e) | 0.08% | $2,690,959 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.13% | 0.08% | 0.00% (e) | 0.05% | $2,679,596 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.02% | 0.14% | 0.11% | 0.02% | 0.03% | $2,203,141 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.01% | 0.14% | 0.06% | 0.01% | 0.08% | $1,220,159 | |||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.49% | 0.06% | 0.00% (e) | 0.43% | $ 60,041 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.48% | 0.05% | 0.00% (e) | 0.43% | $ 74,781 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.48% | 0.08% | 0.00% (e) | 0.40% | $ 73,449 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.49% | 0.13% | 0.00% (e) | 0.36% | $ 95,222 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.49% | 0.08% | 0.00% (e) | 0.41% | $ 141,023 |
Online: | www.ssga.com/cash | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (877) 521-4083 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITCOMBOSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.05% |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.07% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2 | 0.17% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$17 | $55 | $96 | $217 |
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years | 10-Years |
Inception
Date |
||||
Premier Class | 0.12% | 0.13% | 1.43% | 8/12/2004 |
Service Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.05% |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.07% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2 | 0.17% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$17 | $55 | $96 | $217 |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
• | Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities. |
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Premier Class | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.41% | 10/25/2007 |
Service Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.05% |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.07% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2 | 0.17% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$17 | $55 | $96 | $217 |
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Premier Class | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.23% | 10/25/2007 |
Service Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.05% |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.09% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.19% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 | (0.02)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.17% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees, as measured on an annualized basis) exceed 0.07% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Adviser may also voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$17 | $59 | $105 | $241 |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Premier Class | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.29% | 10/24/2007 |
Service Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
• | Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities. |
• | more than three years after the end of the fiscal year for the Fund in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; |
• | in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; |
• | to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of a Fund on that day; |
• | to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Fund's net yield to fall below the Fund's minimum net yield as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion; or |
• | in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain a Fund's contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
By Mail: |
An
initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, sent to:
State Street Funds P.O. Box 8048 Boston, Massachusetts 02205-8048 |
By Overnight: |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, Massachusetts 02021-2809 |
By Telephone/Fax: |
An initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, faxed to (816) 218-0400. Call the Fund at (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. ET to: |
➣ confirm
receipt of the faxed Institutional Account Application Form (initial purchases only),
➣ request your new account number (initial purchases only), ➣ confirm the amount being wired and wiring bank, and ➣ receive a confirmation number for your purchase order (your trade is not effective until you have received a confirmation number from the Fund). |
For your initial investment, send the original, signed Institutional Account Application Form to the address above. |
Wire Instructions: |
Instruct
your bank to transfer money by Federal Funds wire to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02110 |
ABA#
011000028
DDA# 9905-801-8 State Street Institutional Investment Trust Fund Name Class Name Account Number Account Registration |
On Columbus Day and Veterans Day, you will not be able to purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds because the Federal Funds wiring does not occur on those days. Payment for Fund Shares must be in Federal Funds (or converted to Federal Funds by the Transfer Agent) by the close of the Federal Reserve. |
You will not be able to redeem shares from the account until the original Application has been received. The Funds and the Funds' agents are not responsible for transfer errors by the sending or receiving bank and will not be liable for any loss incurred due to a wire transfer not having been received. |
• | Your account address has changed within the last 10 business days. |
• | Redemption proceeds are being transferred to an account with a different registration. |
• | A wire is being sent to a financial institution other than the one that has been established on your Fund account. |
• | Other unusual situations as determined by the Transfer Agent. |
SSITCSVSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | N/A |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.15% |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses 1 | 0.08% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.23% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 | (0.15)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.08% |
1 | Other expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Portfolio's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Portfolio for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.08% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Portfolio's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | |
$8 | $59 |
To establish an account | None |
To add to an existing account | None |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | N/A |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A |
Other Expenses | 0.04% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.04% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 1 | (0.01)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.03% |
1 | The Portfolio's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Portfolio for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.03% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Portfolio's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$3 | $12 | $22 | $50 |
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
8/11/2014 | ||||||
Return Before Taxes | 1.29% | 6.03% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | 0.08% | 4.73% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 1.01% | 4.18% | ||||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 6.15% |
To establish an account | None |
To add to an existing account | None |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | N/A |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A |
Other Expenses | 0.17% |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.02% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.19% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 1,2 | (0.15)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.04% |
1 | The Portfolio's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Portfolio for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.04% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Portfolio's Board of Trustees. |
2 | With respect to the State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, SSGA FM agrees to waive up to the portion of the management fee and/or expenses attributable to acquired fund fees and expenses in connection with the Portfolio's investments in To Be Announced (“TBA”) securities. This fee waiver and/or expense reimbursement may only be terminated with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$4 | $46 | $92 | $228 |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
9/19/2014 | ||||||
Return Before Taxes | 0.65% | 2.07% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -0.71% | 0.79% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | 0.37% | 1.00% | ||||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 0.55% | 2.04% |
To establish an account | None |
To add to an existing account | None |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | N/A |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A |
Other Expenses | 0.49% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.49% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 1 | (0.40)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.09% |
1 | The Portfolio's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Portfolio for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.08% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Portfolio's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$9 | $117 | $234 | $577 |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
9/17/2014 | ||||||
Return Before Taxes | -5.84% | -10.31% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -6.71% | -11.15% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -3.31% | -8.20% | ||||
MSCI ACWI ex USA Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | -5.66% | -9.70% |
To establish an account | None |
To add to an existing account | None |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | N/A |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A |
Other Expenses | 0.41% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.41% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 1 | (0.38)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.03% |
1 | The Portfolio's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Portfolio for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.03% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Portfolio's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | |
$3 | $93 |
To establish an account | None |
To add to an existing account | None |
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 8/11/14* – 12/31/14 |
||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.55 | $ 10.00 | |
Net investment income (a) | 0.22 | 0.08 | |
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.09) | 0.63 | |
Total from investment operations | 0.13 | 0.71 | |
Distributions From: | |||
Net investment income | (0.20) | (0.08) | |
Net realized gain on investments | (0.16) | (0.08) | |
Total distributions | (0.36) | (0.16) | |
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.23) | 0.55 | |
Net asset value, end of period | $ 10.32 | $ 10.55 | |
Total Return (b) | 1.29% | 7.12% | |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||
Net assets, end of period (000s) | $541,335 | $426,710 | |
Expenses before waivers and payments by affiliates | 0.039% | 0.042% (c) | |
Expenses net of waivers and payments by affiliates | 0.030% | 0.030% (c) | |
Net investment income | 2.05% | 2.06% (c) | |
Portfolio turnover | 5% | 4 % (d)(e) |
* | Commencement of operations |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total return for period of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | Annualized. |
(d) | Portfolio turnover rate excludes in-kind security transactions. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
State
Street Aggregate Bond
Index Portfolio |
State
Street Global Equity
ex-U.S. Index Portfolio |
State
Street Small/Mid Cap
Equity Index Portfolio |
|||||||
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/19/14* – 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended
12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/17/14* – 12/31/14 |
For
the
Period 8/12/15* – 12/31/15 |
|||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||
Net asset value, beginning of period | $ 10.14 | $ 10.00 | $ 9.17 | $ 10.00 | $ 10.00 | ||||
Net investment income (a) | 0.20 | 0.04 | 0.25 | 0.05 | 0.06 | ||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.13) | 0.16 | (0.79) | (0.82) | (0.69) | ||||
Total from investment operations | 0.07 | 0.20 | (0.54) | (0.77) | (0.63) | ||||
Voluntary contribution from Adviser | 0.00 (g) | 0.00 (g) | 0.00 (g) | 0.00 (g) | – | ||||
Distributions from: | |||||||||
Net investment income | (0.19) | (0.04) | (0.18) | (0.06) | (0.06) | ||||
Net realized gain on investments | (0.11) | (0.02) | – | – | (0.01) | ||||
Return of capital | (0.02) | – | – | – | – | ||||
Total distributions | (0.32) | (0.06) | (0.18) | (0.06) | (0.07) | ||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.25) | 0.14 | (0.72) | (0.83) | (0.70) | ||||
Net asset value, end of period | $ 9.89 | $ 10.14 | $ 8.45 | $ 9.17 | $ 9.30 | ||||
Total Return (b) | 0.65% (f) | 2.00% (c)(d) | (5.84)% (f) | (7.72)% (c)(d) | 6.30% (c) | ||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||
Net assets, end of period (000s) | $83,842 | $80,044 | $117,461 | $49,460 | $28,151 | ||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||
Gross expenses | 0.17% | 0.25% (e) | 0.48% | 0.73% (e) | 0.41% (e) | ||||
Net expenses | 0.03% | 0.04% (e) | 0.08% | 0.31% (e) | 0.03% (e) | ||||
Net investment income | 2.00% | 1.52% (e) | 2.73% | 1.77% (e) | 1.61% (e) | ||||
Portfolio turnover | 62% | 16% (c) | 3% | 0% (c) | 8% (c) |
* | Commencement of operations. |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | Not annualized. |
(d) | If the Adviser had not made a voluntary contribution during the period ended 12/31/14, the total return would have decreased by less than 0.005%. |
(e) | Annualized. |
(f) | If the Adviser had not made a voluntary contribution during the year ended 12/31/15, the total return would have decreased by less than 0.005% |
(g) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
SSITCFSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.20% | 0.20% | 0.20% | 0.20% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.34% | 0.14% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses 3 | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.87% | 1.62% | 0.62% | 0.42% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (0.04)% | (0.04)% | (0.04)% | (0.04)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.83% | 1.58% | 0.58% | 0.38% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | Other expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.30% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $531 | $711 | |
Class C | $261 | $507 | |
Class I | $ 59 | $194 | |
Class K | $ 39 | $131 |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $531 | $711 | |
Class C | $161 | $507 | |
Class I | $ 59 | $194 | |
Class K | $ 39 | $131 |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | |
Availability | Available to the general public through certain financial intermediaries. | Available to the general public through certain financial intermediaries. |
Limited
to certain investors, including:
• Certain banks, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries. • Certain employer- sponsored retirement plans. • Certain employees or affiliates of State Street Corporation or its affiliates |
Limited to certain investors, including certain qualified recordkeepers and employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
Minimum Initial Investment | $2,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee-based programs where an agreement is in place. | $2,000 | $1,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors (e.g., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. | $10,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. |
Maximum Investment | None. | $999,999; none for omnibus retirement plans | None. | None. |
Initial (Front-End) Sales Charge | Yes. 4.50%, payable at time of purchase. Lower sales charges are available for larger investments. See the chart under “Class A” section of this Prospectus. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of the Fund. |
Deferred (CDSC) Sales Charge | No, except for purchases of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed within 18 months after purchase. | Yes, 1.00% payable if you redeem within one year of purchase. See the chart under “Class C” section of this Prospectus. | No. | No. |
Distribution and Service (Rule 12b-1) Fees | 0.25% annual fee. | 1.00% annual fee. | No. | No. |
Redemption Fees | No. | No. | No. | No. |
1 | Class A advanced commission for purchases over $1 million: |
1.00% | First $3 million |
Plus 0.50% | Next $12 million |
Plus 0.25% | Over $15 million |
2 | If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Fund you will not be assessed a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Distributor pays broker-dealers advanced commissions that are calculated on a year-by-year basis based on the amounts invested during that year. Accordingly, with respect to additional purchase amounts, the advanced commission breakpoint resets annually to the first breakpoint on the anniversary of the first purchase. You may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds if you redeem your shares within 18 months after purchase. |
1. | Your account(s); |
2. | Account(s) of your spouse or domestic partner; |
3. | Account(s) of children under the age of 21 who share your residential address; |
4. | Trust accounts established by any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. If the person(s) who established the trust is deceased, the trust account may be aggregated with the account(s) of the primary beneficiary of the trust; |
5. | Solely controlled business accounts; and |
6. | Single-participant retirement plans of any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. |
1. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions. |
2. | Acquired in exchange for shares of another Class A State Street Fund that were previously assessed a sales charge. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares at the same CDSC rate. |
3. | Bought in State Street Funds that do not offer Class N (no load) shares 1 by officers, directors or trustees, retirees and employees and their immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and any dependent of the person, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code) of: |
• | The State Street Funds |
• | State Street Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates |
4. | Bought by employees of: |
• | Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. |
• | Financial Intermediaries of financial institutions that have entered into selling agreements with the Funds or Distributor and their subsidiaries and affiliates (or otherwise have an arrangement with a Financial Intermediary or financial institution with respect to sales of Fund shares). This waiver includes the employees' immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents and any dependent of the employee, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code). |
1 | State Street Funds that offer Class N Shares include: SSGA Clarion Real Estate Fund (SSREX), SSGA Dynamic Small Cap Fund (SVSCX), State Street Disciplined Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SSEMX), SSGA Enhanced Small Cap Fund (SESPX), SSGA High Yield Bond Fund (SSHYX), SSGA International Stock Selection Fund (SSAIX) and SSGA S&P 500 Index Fund (SVSPX). |
5. | Bought by: |
• | Authorized retirement plans serviced or sponsored by a Financial Intermediary, provided that such Financial Intermediary has entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor or with the Fund with respect to such purchases at NAV. |
• | Investors who are directly rolling over or transferring shares from an established State Street Fund or State Street qualified retirement plan. Rolling over or transferring shares involves the transferring of shares (in-kind); there is no cash movement associated with the transaction. |
• | Clients of Financial Intermediaries that (i) charge an ongoing fee for advisory, management, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor to offer Class A shares through a no-load network or platform, or self-directed brokerage accounts that may or may not charge transaction fees to customers. |
• | Insurance company separate accounts. |
• | Tuition Programs that qualify under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. |
6. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class A shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A and Class C Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
7. | Bought in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which a Fund is a party. However, you may pay a CDSC when you sell the Fund Shares you received in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
Years Since Purchase |
CDSC
As a % of Dollar Amount
Subject to Charge |
0-1 | 1.00 |
After First Year | NONE |
1. | If you participate in the Automatic Withdrawal Plan (AWP). Redemptions made on a regular periodic basis ( e.g . monthly) will not be subject to any applicable CDSC if they are, in the aggregate, less than or equal to 10% annually of the current market value of the account balance. Redemptions made as part of a required minimum distribution are also included in calculating amounts eligible for this waiver. For information on the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, please see the section of the Prospectus entitled “ Service Options. ” |
2. | If you are a registered participant or beneficial owner of an account and you die or become disabled (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code). This waiver is only available for accounts open prior to the shareholder's or beneficiary's death or disability, and the redemption must be made within one year of such event. Subsequent purchases into such account are not eligible for the CDSC waiver. In order to qualify for this waiver, the Distributor must be notified of such death or disability at the time of the redemption order and be provided with satisfactory evidence of such death or disability. |
3. | Redemptions that represent a required minimum distribution from your IRA Account or other qualifying retirement plan but only if you are at least age 70 1/2. If you maintain more than one IRA, only the assets credited to the IRA that is invested in one or more of the State Street Funds are considered when calculating that portion of your minimum required distribution that qualifies for the waiver. |
4. | A distribution from a qualified retirement plan by reason of the participant's retirement. |
5. | Redemptions that are involuntary and result from a failure to maintain the required minimum balance in an account. |
6. | Exchanges in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which the Fund is a party. However, you may pay a sales charge when you redeem the Fund Shares you receive in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
7. | Exchanges for shares of the same class of another State Street Fund. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares. For purposes of the CDSC, shares will continue to age from the date of the original purchase of the Fund shares. |
8. | Redemption of shares purchased through employer sponsored retirement plans, and deferred compensation plans. The CDSC, however, will not be waived if the plan redeems all of the shares that it owns on behalf of participants prior to the applicable CDSC period, as defined above. |
9. | Redemptions as part of annual IRA custodial fees. |
10. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. |
11. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class C shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A and Class C Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
1. | Banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including registered investment advisers and financial planners) purchasing shares on behalf of their clients in: |
• | discretionary and non-discretionary advisory programs; |
• | fund supermarkets; |
• | asset allocation programs; |
• | other programs in which the client pays an asset-based fee for advice or for executing transactions in Fund Shares or for otherwise participating in the program; or |
• | certain other investment programs that do not charge an asset-based fee; |
2. | Qualified state tuition plans described in Section 529 of the Code and donor-advised charitable gift funds (subject to all applicable terms and conditions); |
3. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code; |
4. | Certain other registered open-end investment companies whose shares are distributed by the Distributor; |
5. | Certain retirement and deferred compensation programs established by State Street Corporation or its affiliates for their employees or the Fund's Trustees; |
6. | Current or retired Directors or Trustees of the State Street Funds, officers and employees of SSGA, and any of its subsidiaries, such persons' spouses, and children under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such person is a beneficiary; |
7. | Investments made in connection with certain mergers and/or reorganizations as approved by the Adviser; |
8. | The reinvestment of dividends from Class I shares in additional Class I shares of the Fund; and |
9. | Qualified recordkeepers with a distribution and/or fund servicing agreement maintained with the Fund's Distributor. |
1. | Qualified recordkeepers with an applicable agreement maintained with the Fund's Distributor; |
2. | Defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, endowments and foundations with greater than $10 million in a qualified tax-exempt plan; |
3. | Employers with greater than $10 million in the aggregate between qualified and non-qualified plans that they sponsor; and |
4. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code. |
• | The State Street Funds' transfer agent compiles, monitors and reports account-level information on underlying shareholder activity using two proprietary systems, which are implemented on a risk-based approach designed to identify trading that could adversely impact the State Street Funds; |
• | The State Street Funds' distributor has obtained information from each Financial Intermediary holding shares in an omnibus account with the State Street Funds regarding whether the Financial Intermediary has adopted and maintains procedures that are reasonably designed to protect the Funds against harmful short-term trading; and |
• | With respect to State Street Funds that invest in securities that trade on foreign markets, pursuant to the State Street Funds' fair valuation procedures, pricing adjustments may be made based on information received from a third-party, multi-factor fair valuation pricing service. |
• | If the State Street Funds discover that an investor or a client of a Financial Intermediary has engaged in Excessive Trading, the State Street Fund's distributor may send a notice to the account owner or Financial Intermediary informing them that the account issued a warning and future Excessive Trading may result in further action including suspension or termination of the account; |
• | If the same account engages in another Round Trip following the issuance of a warning, the State Street Funds' distributor will instruct State Street Funds' transfer agent or Financial Intermediary to stop all future purchases on the account for a period of 90 days which will prevent the account from effecting further purchases of the State Street Fund (the “Stop Purchase instruction”); |
• | At the end of 90 days from the date the Stop Purchase instruction was placed on the account, the Stop Purchase instruction will be removed and the account will be eligible to accept additional purchases; and |
• | If, after the Stop Purchase instruction has been removed, the account continues to engage in Excessive Trading, the State Street Funds' distributor will take appropriate action, which may include issuing additional alert notices, placing further Stop Purchase instruction(s) on the account or directing immediate account closure. |
1. | Alter, add, or discontinue any conditions of purchase (including eligibility requirements), redemption, exchange, service, or privilege at any time; |
2. | Accept initial purchases by telephone; |
3. | Freeze any account and/or suspend account services if the State Street Funds has received reasonable notice of a dispute regarding the assets in an account, including notice of a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners, or if we reasonably believe a fraudulent transaction may occur or has occurred; |
4. | Temporarily freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to the State Street Funds of the death of the shareholder until the State Street Funds receive required documentation in good order; |
5. | Alter, impose, discontinue, or waive any redemption fee, account service fee, or other fees charged to a group of shareholders; and |
6. | Redeem an account or suspend account privileges, without the owner's permission to do so, in cases of threatening conduct or activity the State Street Funds believe to be suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal. |
• | Reinvestment Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. If you do not indicate a choice on the application, this option will be automatically assigned. |
• | Income-Earned Option—Capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested, but a check, direct deposit or wire will be sent for each dividend distribution. |
• | Cash Option—A check, wire or direct deposit will be sent for each dividend and capital gain distribution. |
• | Direct Dividends Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically invested in another identically registered State Street Fund of the same share class. |
Online: | www.ssgafunds.com | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (800) 647-7327 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITSRRSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 4.71% | 4.71% | 4.71% | 4.51% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 5.15% | 5.90% | 4.90% | 4.70% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (4.57)% | (4.57)% | (4.57)% | (4.57)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% | 1.33% | 0.33% | 0.13% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A, Class I and Class K shares. The expense information for Class C shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (inclusive of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, but exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency expenses) exceed 0.13% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $1,532 | $2,555 | $5,098 | |||
Class C | $235 | $1,348 | $2,538 | $5,422 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $1,061 | $2,089 | $4,671 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $1,002 | $1,997 | $4,510 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $1,532 | $2,555 | $5,098 | |||
Class C | $135 | $1,348 | $2,538 | $5,422 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $1,061 | $2,089 | $4,671 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $1,002 | $1,997 | $4,510 |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement 2015 Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 21.585% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 3.940% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 13.850% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 23.750% | |
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 19.250% | |
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 7.000% | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 5.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 4.500% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 1.125% |
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/30/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -5.43% | -3.74% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -6.15% | -4.49% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -2.92% | -3.12% | ||||
Class I | -0.75% | 0.09% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Class K | -0.74% | 0.14% | 9/30/2014 | |||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 5.07% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 0.68% | 0.68% | 0.68% | 0.48% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.12% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.10% | 1.85% | 0.85% | 0.65% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (0.52)% | (0.52)% | (0.52)% | (0.52)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% | 1.33% | 0.33% | 0.13% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A, Class I and Class K shares. The expense information for Class C shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (inclusive of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, but exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency expenses) exceed 0.13% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $735 | $981 | $1,685 | |||
Class C | $235 | $531 | $952 | $2,127 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $219 | $420 | $1,001 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $156 | $311 | $ 761 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $735 | $981 | $1,685 | |||
Class C | $135 | $531 | $952 | $2,127 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $219 | $420 | $1,001 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $156 | $311 | $ 761 |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement 2020 Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 27.710% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 6.252% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 19.788% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 21.500% | |
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 7.875% | |
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 4.000% | |
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 6.000% | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 3.125% | |
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 3.750% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.000% |
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/30/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -6.15% | -3.65% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -6.80% | -4.27% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -3.28% | -2.96% | ||||
Class I | -1.56% | 0.11% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Class K | -1.57% | 0.07% | 9/30/2014 | |||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 5.07% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.34% | 1.14% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.09% | 0.09% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.73% | 2.48% | 1.48% | 1.28% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (1.15)% | (1.15)% | (1.15)% | (1.15)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% | 1.33% | 0.33% | 0.13% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A, Class I and Class K shares. The expense information for Class C shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (inclusive of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, but exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency expenses) exceed 0.13% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $863 | $1,243 | $2,308 | |||
Class C | $235 | $663 | $1,217 | $2,729 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $355 | $ 698 | $1,670 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $292 | $ 592 | $1,444 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $863 | $1,243 | $2,308 | |||
Class C | $135 | $663 | $1,217 | $2,729 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $355 | $ 698 | $1,670 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $292 | $ 592 | $1,444 |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement 2025 Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 32.896% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 8.766% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 25.338% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 14.125% | |
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 4.650% | |
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 4.850% | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 0.625% | |
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 8.750% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.000% |
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/30/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -6.53% | -3.77% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -7.13% | -4.36% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -3.45% | -3.02% | ||||
Class I | -1.87% | 0.07% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Class K | -1.77% | 0.19% | 9/30/2014 | |||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 5.07% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 0.70% | 0.70% | 0.70% | 0.50% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.08% | 1.83% | 0.83% | 0.63% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (0.50)% | (0.50)% | (0.50)% | (0.50)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% | 1.33% | 0.33% | 0.13% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A, Class I and Class K shares. The expense information for Class C shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (inclusive of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, but exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency expenses) exceed 0.13% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $731 | $972 | $1,665 | |||
Class C | $235 | $527 | $944 | $2,107 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $215 | $411 | $ 979 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $151 | $302 | $ 739 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $731 | $972 | $1,665 | |||
Class C | $135 | $527 | $944 | $2,107 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $215 | $411 | $ 979 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $151 | $302 | $ 739 |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement 2030 Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 35.551% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 10.923% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 28.650% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 11.625% | |
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 1.363% | |
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 1.888% | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 10.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.000% |
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/30/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -6.49% | -3.59% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -6.98% | -4.19% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -3.42% | -2.89% | ||||
Class I | -1.83% | 0.25% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Class K | -1.83% | 0.29% | 9/30/2014 | |||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 5.07% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 1.79% | 1.79% | 1.79% | 1.59% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.07% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 2.16% | 2.91% | 1.91% | 1.71% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (1.58)% | (1.58)% | (1.58)% | (1.58)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% | 1.33% | 0.33% | 0.13% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A, Class I and Class K shares. The expense information for Class C shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (inclusive of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, but exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency expenses) exceed 0.13% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $950 | $1,418 | $2,712 | |||
Class C | $235 | $751 | $1,394 | $3,120 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $446 | $ 884 | $2,104 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $384 | $ 779 | $1,887 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $950 | $1,418 | $2,712 | |||
Class C | $135 | $751 | $1,394 | $3,120 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $446 | $ 884 | $2,104 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $384 | $ 779 | $1,887 |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement 2035 Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 37.260% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 13.190% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 31.300% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 8.250% | |
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 10.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.000% |
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/30/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -6.56% | -3.64% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -7.01% | -4.15% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -3.46% | -2.89% | ||||
Class I | -2.00% | 0.12% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Class K | -1.90% | 0.24% | 9/30/2014 | |||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 5.07% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.87% | 0.67% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.25% | 2.00% | 1.00% | 0.80% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (0.67)% | (0.67)% | (0.67)% | (0.67)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% | 1.33% | 0.33% | 0.13% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A, Class I and Class K shares. The expense information for Class C shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (inclusive of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, but exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency expenses) exceed 0.13% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $765 | $1,044 | $1,837 | |||
Class C | $235 | $563 | $1,016 | $2,273 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $252 | $ 487 | $1,164 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $188 | $ 378 | $ 927 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $765 | $1,044 | $1,837 | |||
Class C | $135 | $563 | $1,016 | $2,273 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $252 | $ 487 | $1,164 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $188 | $ 378 | $ 927 |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement 2040 Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 37.961% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 15.489% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 33.300% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 3.250% | |
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 10.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.000% |
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/30/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -6.93% | -3.91% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -7.34% | -4.52% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -3.65% | -3.13% | ||||
Class I | -2.28% | -0.08% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Class K | -2.18% | 0.04% | 9/30/2014 | |||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 5.07% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 3.04% | 3.04% | 3.04% | 2.84% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 3.42% | 4.17% | 3.17% | 2.97% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (2.84)% | (2.84)% | (2.84)% | (2.84)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% | 1.33% | 0.33% | 0.13% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A, Class I and Class K shares. The expense information for Class C shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (inclusive of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, but exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency expenses) exceed 0.13% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $1,200 | $1,915 | $3,803 | |||
Class C | $235 | $1,007 | $1,894 | $4,175 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $ 710 | $1,410 | $3,278 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $ 649 | $1,311 | $3,086 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $1,200 | $1,915 | $3,803 | |||
Class C | $135 | $1,007 | $1,894 | $4,175 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $ 710 | $1,410 | $3,278 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $ 649 | $1,311 | $3,086 |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement 2045 Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 38.321% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 17.079% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 34.600% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 10.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.000% |
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/30/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -6.99% | -4.02% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -7.36% | -4.83% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -3.69% | -3.30% | ||||
Class I | -2.40% | -0.20% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Class K | -2.40% | -0.16% | 9/30/2014 | |||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 5.07% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 4.29% | 4.29% | 4.29% | 4.09% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 4.67% | 5.42% | 4.42% | 4.22% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (4.09)% | (4.09)% | (4.09)% | (4.09)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% | 1.33% | 0.33% | 0.13% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A, Class I and Class K shares. The expense information for Class C shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (inclusive of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, but exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency expenses) exceed 0.13% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $1,441 | $2,382 | $4,761 | |||
Class C | $235 | $1,255 | $2,364 | $5,098 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $ 964 | $1,906 | $4,308 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $ 905 | $1,811 | $4,139 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $1,441 | $2,382 | $4,761 | |||
Class C | $135 | $1,255 | $2,364 | $5,098 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $ 964 | $1,906 | $4,308 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $ 905 | $1,811 | $4,139 |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement 2050 Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 38.321% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 17.079% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 34.600% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 10.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.000% |
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/30/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -7.19% | -4.20% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -7.56% | -5.00% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -3.81% | -3.43% | ||||
Class I | -2.61% | -0.38% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Class K | -2.71% | -0.42% | 9/30/2014 | |||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 5.07% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 6.99% | 6.99% | 6.99% | 6.79% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 7.37% | 8.12% | 7.12% | 6.92% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (6.79)% | (6.79)% | (6.79)% | (6.79)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% | 1.33% | 0.33% | 0.13% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A, Class I and Class K shares. The expense information for Class C shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (inclusive of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, but exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency expenses) exceed 0.13% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $1,942 | $3,310 | $6,456 | |||
Class C | $235 | $1,767 | $3,298 | $6,727 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $1,493 | $2,891 | $6,134 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $1,437 | $2,806 | $6,007 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $1,942 | $3,310 | $6,456 | |||
Class C | $135 | $1,767 | $3,298 | $6,727 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $1,493 | $2,891 | $6,134 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $1,437 | $2,806 | $6,007 |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement 2055 Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 38.321% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 17.079% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 34.600% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 10.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.000% |
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/30/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -7.23% | -4.23% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -7.65% | -5.07% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -3.82% | -3.47% | ||||
Class I | -2.65% | -0.41% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Class K | -2.75% | -0.45% | 9/30/2014 | |||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 5.07% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 26.49% | 26.49% | 26.49% | 26.29% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.07% | 0.07% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 26.86% | 27.61% | 26.61% | 26.41% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (26.28)% | (26.28)% | (26.28)% | (26.28)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% | 1.33% | 0.33% | 0.13% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A, Class I and Class K shares. The expense information for Class C shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (inclusive of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, but exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency expenses) exceed 0.13% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $4,757 | $7,352 | $10,235 | |||
Class C | $235 | $4,639 | $7,336 | $10,246 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $4,466 | $7,189 | $10,245 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $4,430 | $7,158 | $10,243 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $4,757 | $7,352 | $10,235 | |||
Class C | $135 | $4,639 | $7,336 | $10,246 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $4,466 | $7,189 | $10,245 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $4,430 | $7,158 | $10,243 |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement 2060 Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 38.321% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 17.079% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 34.600% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 10.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.000% |
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/30/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -7.12% | -4.14% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -7.95% | -5.32% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -3.70% | -3.53% | ||||
Class I | -2.53% | -0.32% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Class K | -2.53% | -0.28% | 9/30/2014 | |||
S&P 500 ® Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 1.38% | 5.07% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 4.50% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 1.21% | 1.21% | 1.21% | 1.01% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.18% | 0.18% | 0.18% | 0.18% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.69% | 2.44% | 1.44% | 1.24% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 4 | (1.11)% | (1.11)% | (1.11)% | (1.11)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.58% | 1.33% | 0.33% | 0.13% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The expense information in the table has been restated to reflect current fees for Class A, Class I and Class K shares. The expense information for Class C shares are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (inclusive of Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses, but exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, and distribution, shareholder servicing, and sub-transfer agency expenses) exceed 0.13% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $855 | $1,227 | $2,269 | |||
Class C | $235 | $654 | $1,200 | $2,692 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $346 | $ 681 | $1,628 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $283 | $ 574 | $1,402 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $507 | $855 | $1,227 | $2,269 | |||
Class C | $135 | $654 | $1,200 | $2,692 | |||
Class I | $ 34 | $346 | $ 681 | $1,628 | |||
Class K | $ 13 | $283 | $ 574 | $1,402 |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement Fund |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 16.745% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 3.155% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 10.100% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 20.000% | |
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 18.000% | |
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 7.000% |
Underlying Funds |
Target
Retirement Fund |
|
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 5.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 16.000% | |
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.000% |
State Street Target Retirement Fund | 1-Year |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
|||
Class A | 9/30/2014 | |||||
Return Before Taxes | -5.09% | -3.60% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions | -5.69% | -4.20% | ||||
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares | -2.76% | -2.96% | ||||
Class I | -0.39% | 0.24% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Class K | -0.49% | 0.20% | 9/30/2014 | |||
Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index (reflects no deduction for fees, expenses or taxes) | 0.55% | 1.88% |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Underlying Funds | Retirement | 2015 | 2020 | 2025 | 2030 | 2035 | ||||||
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 16.745% | 21.585% | 27.710% | 32.896% | 35.551% | 37.260% | ||||||
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 3.155% | 3.940% | 6.252% | 8.766% | 10.923 % | 13.190% | ||||||
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 10.100% | 13.850% | 19.788% | 25.338% | 28.650% | 31.300% | ||||||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 20.000% | 23.750% | 21.500% | 14.125% | 11.625% | 8.250% | ||||||
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 0.000% | 0.000% | 7.875% | 4.650% | 1.363% | 0.000% | ||||||
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 18.000% | 19.250% | 4.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | ||||||
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 7.000% | 7.000% | 6.000% | 4.850% | 1.888% | 0.000% | ||||||
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 5.000% | 5.000% | 3.125% | 0.625% | 0.000% | 0.000% | ||||||
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | 0.000% | 3.750% | 8.750% | 10.000% | 10.000% | ||||||
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 16.000% | 4.500% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | ||||||
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 4.000% | 1.125% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% |
Underlying Funds | 2040 | 2045 | 2050 | 2055 | 2060 | |||||
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | 37.961% | 38.321% | 38.321% | 38.321% | 38.321% | |||||
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | 15.489 % | 17.079% | 17.079% | 17.079% | 17.079% | |||||
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | 33.300 % | 34.600% | 34.600% | 34.600% | 34.600% | |||||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 3.250% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | |||||
SPDR Barclays TIPS ETF | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | |||||
SPDR Barclays 1-10 Year TIPS ETF | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | |||||
SPDR Barclays High Yield Bond ETF | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | |||||
SPDR Dow Jones Global Real Estate ETF | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | |||||
SPDR Barclays Long Term Treasury ETF | 10.000% | 10.000% | 10.000% | 10.000% | 10.000% | |||||
SPDR Barclays Short Term Treasury ETF | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | |||||
SPDR Barclays Short Term Corporate Bond ETF | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% | 0.000% |
Target Retirement 2015 Fund | 0.05% |
Target Retirement 2020 Fund | 0.05% |
Target Retirement 2025 Fund | 0.05% |
Target Retirement 2030 Fund | 0.05% |
Target Retirement 2035 Fund | 0.05% |
Target Retirement 2040 Fund | 0.05% |
Target Retirement 2045 Fund | 0.05% |
Target Retirement 2050 Fund | 0.05% |
Target Retirement 2055 Fund | 0.05% |
Target Retirement 2060 Fund | 0.05% |
Target Retirement Fund | 0.05% |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | |
Availability | Available to the general public through certain financial intermediaries. | Available to the general public through certain financial intermediaries. |
Limited
to certain investors, including:
• Certain banks, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries. • Certain employer- sponsored retirement plans. • Certain employees or affiliates of State Street Corporation or its affiliates |
Limited to certain investors, including certain qualified recordkeepers and employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
Minimum Initial Investment | $2,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee-based programs where an agreement is in place. | $2,000 | $1,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors (e.g., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. | $10,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. |
Maximum Investment | None. | $999,999; none for omnibus retirement plans | None. | None. |
Initial (Front-End) Sales Charge | Yes. 4.50%, payable at time of purchase. Lower sales charges are available for larger investments. See the chart under “Class A” section of this Prospectus. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. |
Deferred (CDSC) Sales Charge | No, except for purchases of $1,000,000 or more that are redeemed within 18 months after purchase. | Yes, 1.00% payable if you redeem within one year of purchase. See the chart under “Class C” section of this Prospectus. | No. | No. |
Distribution and Service (Rule 12b-1) Fees | 0.25% annual fee. | 1.00% annual fee. | No. | No. |
Redemption Fees | No. | No. | No. | No. |
1 | Class A advanced commission for purchases over $1 million: |
1.00% | First $3 million |
Plus 0.50% | Next $12 million |
Plus 0.25% | Over $15 million |
2 | If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Fund you will not be assessed a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Distributor pays broker-dealers advanced commissions that are calculated on a year-by-year basis based on the amounts invested during that year. Accordingly, with respect to additional purchase amounts, the advanced commission breakpoint resets annually to the first breakpoint on the anniversary of the first purchase. You may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds if you redeem your shares within 18 months after purchase. |
1. | Your account(s); |
2. | Account(s) of your spouse or domestic partner; |
3. | Account(s) of children under the age of 21 who share your residential address; |
4. | Trust accounts established by any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. If the person(s) who established the trust is deceased, the trust account may be aggregated with the account(s) of the primary beneficiary of the trust; |
5. | Solely controlled business accounts; and |
6. | Single-participant retirement plans of any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. |
1. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions. |
2. | Acquired in exchange for shares of another Class A State Street Fund that were previously assessed a sales charge. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares at the same CDSC rate. |
3. | Bought in State Street Funds that do not offer Class N (no load) shares 1 by officers, directors or trustees, retirees and employees and their immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and any dependent of the person, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code) of: |
• | The State Street Funds |
• | State Street Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates |
4. | Bought by employees of: |
• | Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. |
• | Financial Intermediaries of financial institutions that have entered into selling agreements with the Funds or Distributor and their subsidiaries and affiliates (or otherwise have an arrangement with a Financial Intermediary or financial institution with respect to sales of Fund shares). This waiver includes the employees' immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents and any dependent of the employee, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code). |
1 | State Street Funds that offer Class N Shares include: SSGA Clarion Real Estate Fund (SSREX), SSGA Dynamic Small Cap Fund (SVSCX), State Street Disciplined Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SSEMX), SSGA Enhanced Small Cap Fund (SESPX), SSGA High Yield Bond Fund (SSHYX), SSGA International Stock Selection Fund (SSAIX) and SSGA S&P 500 Index Fund (SVSPX). |
5. | Bought by: |
• | Authorized retirement plans serviced or sponsored by a Financial Intermediary, provided that such Financial Intermediary has entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor or with the Fund with respect to such purchases at NAV. |
• | Investors who are directly rolling over or transferring shares from an established State Street Fund or State Street qualified retirement plan. Rolling over or transferring shares involves the transferring of shares (in-kind); there is no cash movement associated with the transaction. |
• | Clients of Financial Intermediaries that (i) charge an ongoing fee for advisory, management, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor to offer Class A shares through a no-load network or platform, or self-directed brokerage accounts that may or may not charge transaction fees to customers. |
• | Insurance company separate accounts. |
• | Tuition Programs that qualify under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. |
6. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class A shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A and Class C Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
7. | Bought in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which a Fund is a party. However, you may pay a CDSC when you sell the Fund Shares you received in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
Years Since Purchase |
CDSC
As a % of Dollar Amount
Subject to Charge |
0-1 | 1.00 |
After First Year | NONE |
1. | If you participate in the Automatic Withdrawal Plan (AWP). Redemptions made on a regular periodic basis ( e.g . monthly) will not be subject to any applicable CDSC if they are, in the aggregate, less than or equal to 10% annually of the current market value of the account balance. Redemptions made as part of a required minimum distribution are also included in calculating amounts eligible for this waiver. For information on the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, please see the section of the Prospectus entitled “ Service Options. ” |
2. | If you are a registered participant or beneficial owner of an account and you die or become disabled (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code). This waiver is only available for accounts open prior to the shareholder's or beneficiary's death or disability, and the redemption must be made within one year of such event. Subsequent purchases into such account are not eligible for the CDSC waiver. In order to qualify for this waiver, the Distributor must be notified of such death or disability at the time of the redemption order and be provided with satisfactory evidence of such death or disability. |
3. | Redemptions that represent a required minimum distribution from your IRA Account or other qualifying retirement plan but only if you are at least age 70 1/2. If you maintain more than one IRA, only the assets credited to the IRA that is invested in one or more of the State Street Funds are considered when calculating that portion of your minimum required distribution that qualifies for the waiver. |
4. | A distribution from a qualified retirement plan by reason of the participant's retirement. |
5. | Redemptions that are involuntary and result from a failure to maintain the required minimum balance in an account. |
6. | Exchanges in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which a Fund is a party. However, you may pay a sales charge when you redeem the Fund Shares you receive in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
7. | Exchanges for shares of the same class of another State Street Fund. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares. For purposes of the CDSC, shares will continue to age from the date of the original purchase of the Fund shares. |
8. | Redemption of shares purchased through employer sponsored retirement plans, and deferred compensation plans. The CDSC, however, will not be waived if the plan redeems all of the shares that it owns on behalf of participants prior to the applicable CDSC period, as defined above. |
9. | Redemptions as part of annual IRA custodial fees. |
10. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. |
11. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class C shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A and Class C Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
1. | Banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including registered investment advisers and financial planners) purchasing shares on behalf of their clients in: |
• | discretionary and non-discretionary advisory programs; |
• | fund supermarkets; |
• | asset allocation programs; |
• | other programs in which the client pays an asset-based fee for advice or for executing transactions in Fund Shares or for otherwise participating in the program; or |
• | certain other investment programs that do not charge an asset-based fee; |
2. | Qualified state tuition plans described in Section 529 of the Code and donor-advised charitable gift funds (subject to all applicable terms and conditions); |
3. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code; |
4. | Certain other registered open-end investment companies whose shares are distributed by the Distributor; |
5. | Certain retirement and deferred compensation programs established by State Street Corporation or its affiliates for their employees or the Funds' Trustees; |
6. | Current or retired Directors or Trustees of the State Street Funds, officers and employees of SSGA, and any of its subsidiaries, such persons' spouses, and children under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such person is a beneficiary; |
7. | Investments made in connection with certain mergers and/or reorganizations as approved by the Adviser; |
8. | The reinvestment of dividends from Class I shares in additional Class I shares of a Fund; and |
9. | Qualified recordkeepers with a distribution and/or fund servicing agreement maintained with the Funds' Distributor. |
1. | Qualified recordkeepers with an applicable agreement maintained with the Funds' Distributor; |
2. | Defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, endowments and foundations with greater than $10 million in a qualified tax-exempt plan; |
3. | Employers with greater than $10 million in the aggregate between qualified and non-qualified plans that they sponsor; and |
4. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code. |
• | The State Street Funds' transfer agent compiles, monitors and reports account-level information on underlying shareholder activity using two proprietary systems, which are implemented on a risk-based approach designed to identify trading that could adversely impact the State Street Funds; |
• | The State Street Funds' distributor has obtained information from each Financial Intermediary holding shares in an omnibus account with the State Street Funds regarding whether the Financial Intermediary has adopted and maintains procedures that are reasonably designed to protect the Funds against harmful short-term trading; and |
• | With respect to State Street Funds that invest in securities that trade on foreign markets, pursuant to the State Street Funds' fair valuation procedures, pricing adjustments may be made based on information received from a third-party, multi-factor fair valuation pricing service. |
• | If the State Street Funds discover that an investor or a client of a Financial Intermediary has engaged in Excessive Trading, the State Street Fund's distributor may send a notice to the account owner or Financial Intermediary informing them that the account issued a warning and future Excessive Trading may result in further action including suspension or termination of the account; |
• | If the same account engages in another Round Trip following the issuance of a warning, the State Street Funds' distributor will instruct State Street Funds' transfer agent or Financial Intermediary to stop all future purchases on the account for a period of 90 days which will prevent the account from effecting further purchases of the State Street Fund (the “Stop Purchase instruction”); |
• | At the end of 90 days from the date the Stop Purchase instruction was placed on the account, the Stop Purchase instruction will be removed and the account will be eligible to accept additional purchases; and |
• | If, after the Stop Purchase instruction has been removed, the account continues to engage in Excessive Trading, the State Street Funds' distributor will take appropriate action, which may include issuing additional alert notices, placing further Stop Purchase instruction(s) on the account or directing immediate account closure. |
1. | Alter, add, or discontinue any conditions of purchase (including eligibility requirements), redemption, exchange, service, or privilege at any time; |
2. | Accept initial purchases by telephone; |
3. | Freeze any account and/or suspend account services if the State Street Funds has received reasonable notice of a dispute regarding the assets in an account, including notice of a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners, or if we reasonably believe a fraudulent transaction may occur or has occurred; |
4. | Temporarily freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to the State Street Funds of the death of the shareholder until the State Street Funds receive required documentation in good order; |
5. | Alter, impose, discontinue, or waive any redemption fee, account service fee, or other fees charged to a group of shareholders; and |
6. | Redeem an account or suspend account privileges, without the owner's permission to do so, in cases of threatening conduct or activity the State Street Funds believe to be suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal. |
• | Reinvestment Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. If you do not indicate a choice on the application, this option will be automatically assigned. |
• | Income-Earned Option—Capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested, but a check, direct deposit or wire will be sent for each dividend distribution. |
• | Cash Option—A check, wire or direct deposit will be sent for each dividend and capital gain distribution. |
• | Direct Dividends Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically invested in another identically registered State Street Fund of the same share class. |
State
Street Target
Retirement Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2015 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2020 Fund |
|||||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.03 | $10.00 | $10.03 | $10.00 | $10.14 | $10.00 | |||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||||
Net investment income (a) | 0.15 | 0.05 | 0.17 | 0.05 | 0.24 | 0.05 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.21) | 0.01 | (0.27) | 0.03 | (0.41) | 0.12 | |||||
Total from investment operations | (0.06) | 0.06 | (0.10) | 0.08 | (0.17) | 0.17 | |||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.17) | (0.03) | (0.16) | (0.05) | (0.20) | (0.03) | |||||
Net realized gains | (0.01) | (0.00) (b) | (0.05) | (0.00) (b) | (0.01) | (0.00) (b) | |||||
Total distributions | (0.18) | (0.03) | (0.21) | (0.05) | (0.21) | (0.03) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.24) | 0.03 | (0.31) | 0.03 | (0.38) | 0.14 | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.79 | $10.03 | $ 9.72 | $10.03 | $ 9.76 | $10.14 | |||||
Total Return (c) | (0.64)% | 0.64% | (1.00)% | 0.81% | (1.71)% | 1.66% | |||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $ 408 | $ 418 | $ 585 | $ 585 | $ 125 | $ 845 | |||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 1.40% | 21.65 % (d) | 5.32% | 15.05 % (d) | 0.80% | 9.36 % (d) | |||||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.26% | 0.62 % (d) | 0.27% | 0.62 % (d) | 0.26% | 0.62 % (d) | |||||
Net investment income | 1.48% | 1.82 % (d) | 1.65% | 2.06 % (d) | 2.30% | 2.32 % (d) | |||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 31% | 8 % (e) | 55% | 39 % (e) | 39% | 5 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2025 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2030 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2035 Fund |
|||||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.16 | $10.00 | $10.15 | $10.00 | $10.17 | $10.00 | |||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||||
Net investment income (a) | 0.23 | 0.06 | 0.23 | 0.05 | 0.17 | 0.06 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.44) | 0.13 | (0.44) | 0.16 | (0.39) | 0.15 | |||||
Total from investment operations | (0.21) | 0.19 | (0.21) | 0.21 | (0.22) | 0.21 | |||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.18) | (0.03) | (0.18) | (0.06) | (0.15) | (0.04) | |||||
Net realized gains | (0.03) | – | (0.00) (b) | – | (0.02) | – | |||||
Total distributions | (0.21) | (0.03) | (0.18) | (0.06) | (0.17) | (0.04) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.42) | 0.16 | (0.39) | 0.15 | (0.39) | 0.17 | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.74 | $10.16 | $ 9.76 | $10.15 | $ 9.78 | $10.17 | |||||
Total Return (c) | (2.11)% | 1.93% | (2.07)% | 2.12% | (2.15)% | 2.13% | |||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $ 159 | $ 677 | $ 159 | $ 676 | $ 489 | $ 508 | |||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 1.56% | 10.90 % (d) | 0.84% | 12.85 % (d) | 2.08% | 17.04 % (d) | |||||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.28% | 0.62 % (d) | 0.28% | 0.62 % (d) | 0.28% | 0.62 % (d) | |||||
Net investment income | 2.27% | 2.38 % (d) | 2.21% | 2.05 % (d) | 1.65% | 2.53 % (d) | |||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 51% | 13 % (e) | 33% | 18 % (e) | 38% | 7 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2040 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2045 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2050 Fund |
|||||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.13 | $10.00 | $10.06 | $10.00 | $10.06 | $10.00 | |||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||||
Net investment income (a) | 0.21 | 0.06 | 0.17 | 0.05 | 0.16 | 0.05 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.47) | 0.16 | (0.43) | 0.17 | (0.45) | 0.16 | |||||
Total from investment operations | (0.26) | 0.22 | (0.26) | 0.22 | (0.29) | 0.21 | |||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.16) | (0.09) | (0.15) | (0.16) | (0.15) | (0.15) | |||||
Net realized gains | (0.00) (b) | – | (0.01) | – | (0.00) (b) | (0.00) (b) | |||||
Total distributions | (0.16) | (0.09) | (0.16) | (0.16) | (0.15) | (0.15) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.42) | 0.13 | (0.42) | 0.06 | (0.44) | 0.06 | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.71 | $10.13 | $ 9.64 | $10.06 | $ 9.62 | $10.06 | |||||
Total Return (c) | (2.53)% | 2.17% | (2.64)% | 2.14% | (2.85)% | 2.13% | |||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $ 141 | $ 506 | $ 321 | $ 335 | $ 160 | $ 168 | |||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 1.04% | 18.29 % (d) | 3.50% | 30.47 % (d) | 4.90% | 59.96 % (d) | |||||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.27% | 0.62 % (d) | 0.26% | 0.62 % (d) | 0.27% | 0.62 % (d) | |||||
Net investment income | 2.07% | 2.28 % (d) | 1.63% | 2.07 % (d) | 1.61% | 2.03 % (d) | |||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 38% | 5 % (e) | 35% | 5 % (e) | 35% | 7 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2055 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2060 Fund |
||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.06 | $10.00 | $10.06 | $10.00 | |||
Investment Operations: | |||||||
Net investment income (a) | 0.16 | 0.05 | 0.17 | 0.05 | |||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.45) | 0.16 | (0.45) | 0.16 | |||
Total from investment operations | (0.29) | 0.21 | (0.28) | 0.21 | |||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||
Net investment income | (0.16) | (0.15) | (0.17) | (0.15) | |||
Net realized gains | (0.01) | (0.00) (b) | (0.11) | (0.00) (b) | |||
Total distributions | (0.17) | (0.15) | (0.28) | (0.15) | |||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.46) | 0.06 | (0.56) | 0.06 | |||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.60 | $10.06 | $ 9.50 | $10.06 | |||
Total Return (c) | (2.90)% | 2.13% | (2.78)% | 2.12% | |||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $ 160 | $ 168 | $ 158 | $ 168 | |||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates (d) | 7.94% | 59.87 % (d) | 30.01% | 59.73 % (d) | |||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates (d) | 0.27% | 0.62 % (d) | 0.27% | 0.62 % (d) | |||
Net investment income (d) | 1.62% | 2.03 % (d) | 1.68% | 2.04 % (d) | |||
Portfolio turnover rate | 40% | 7 % (e) | 73% | 7 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations |
State
Street Target
Retirement Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2015 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2020 Fund |
|||||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.03 | $10.00 | $10.03 | $10.00 | $10.14 | $10.00 | |||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) (a) | 0.19 | 0.05 | 0.23 | 0.06 | 0.33 | 0.06 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.23) | 0.02 | (0.31) | 0.03 | (0.49) | 0.11 | |||||
Total from investment operations | (0.04) | 0.07 | (0.08) | 0.09 | (0.16) | 0.17 | |||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.19) | (0.04) | (0.18) | (0.06) | (0.22) | (0.03) | |||||
Net realized gains | (0.01) | (0.00) (b) | (0.05) | (0.00) (b) | (0.01) | (0.00) (b) | |||||
Total distributions | (0.20) | (0.04) | (0.23) | (0.06) | (0.23) | (0.03) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.24) | 0.03 | (0.31) | 0.03 | (0.39) | 0.14 | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.79 | $10.03 | $ 9.72 | $10.03 | $ 9.75 | $10.14 | |||||
Total Return (c) | (0.39)% | 0.70% | (0.75)% | 0.87% | (1.56)% | 1.72% | |||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $ 653 | $ 418 | $1,030 | $ 585 | $1,811 | $ 845 | |||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 1.15% | 21.40 % (d) | 5.07% | 14.80 % (d) | 0.55% | 9.11 % (d) | |||||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.01% | 0.37 % (d) | 0.02% | 0.37 % (d) | 0.01% | 0.37 % (d) | |||||
Net investment income | 1.94% | 2.07 % (d) | 2.32% | 2.31 % (d) | 3.28% | 2.57 % (d) | |||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 31% | 8 % (e) | 55% | 39 % (e) | 39% | 5 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2025 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2030 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2035 Fund |
|||||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.16 | $10.00 | $10.15 | $10.00 | $10.17 | $10.00 | |||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) (a) | 0.37 | 0.06 | 0.35 | 0.06 | 0.31 | 0.07 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.56) | 0.14 | (0.54) | 0.16 | (0.51) | 0.15 | |||||
Total from investment operations | (0.19) | 0.20 | (0.19) | 0.22 | (0.20) | 0.22 | |||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.20) | (0.04) | (0.20) | (0.07) | (0.18) | (0.05) | |||||
Net realized gains | (0.03) | – | (0.00) (b) | – | (0.02) | – | |||||
Total distributions | (0.23) | (0.04) | (0.20) | (0.07) | (0.20) | (0.05) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.42) | 0.16 | (0.39) | 0.15 | (0.40) | 0.17 | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.74 | $10.16 | $ 9.76 | $10.15 | $ 9.77 | $10.17 | |||||
Total Return (c) | (1.87)% | 1.99% | (1.83)% | 2.18% | (2.00)% | 2.20% | |||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $3,293 | $ 677 | $2,066 | $ 676 | $1,416 | $ 508 | |||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 1.31% | 10.65 % (d) | 0.59% | 12.59 % (d) | 1.83% | 16.79 % (d) | |||||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.03% | 0.37 % (d) | 0.03% | 0.37 % (d) | 0.03% | 0.37 % (d) | |||||
Net investment income | 3.71% | 2.63 % (d) | 3.52% | 2.30 % (d) | 3.07% | 2.78 % (d) | |||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 51% | 13 % (e) | 33% | 18 % (e) | 38% | 7 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations. |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2040 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2045 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2050 Fund |
|||||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.13 | $10.00 | $10.06 | $10.00 | $10.06 | $10.00 | |||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||||
Net investment income (loss) (a) | 0.40 | 0.06 | 0.30 | 0.06 | 0.43 | 0.06 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.63) | 0.16 | (0.54) | 0.16 | (0.69) | 0.16 | |||||
Total from investment operations | (0.23) | 0.22 | (0.24) | 0.22 | (0.26) | 0.22 | |||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.19) | (0.09) | (0.17) | (0.16) | (0.18) | (0.16) | |||||
Net realized gains | (0.00) (b) | – | (0.01) | – | (0.00) (b) | (0.00) (b) | |||||
Total distributions | (0.19) | (0.09) | (0.18) | (0.16) | (0.18) | (0.16) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.42) | 0.13 | (0.42) | 0.06 | (0.44) | 0.06 | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.71 | $10.13 | $ 9.64 | $10.06 | $ 9.62 | $10.06 | |||||
Total Return (c) | (2.28)% | 2.23% | (2.40)% | 2.20% | (2.61)% | 2.20% | |||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $1,501 | $ 506 | $ 782 | $ 335 | $ 795 | $ 168 | |||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.79% | 18.04 % (d) | 3.25% | 30.22 % (d) | 4.65% | 59.71 % (d) | |||||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.02% | 0.37 % (d) | 0.01% | 0.37 % (d) | 0.02% | 0.37 % (d) | |||||
Net investment income | 4.02% | 2.53 % (d) | 2.97% | 2.32 % (d) | 4.40% | 2.28 % (d) | |||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 38% | 5 % (e) | 35% | 5 % (e) | 35% | 7 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations. |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2055 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2060 Fund |
||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.06 | $10.00 | $10.06 | $10.00 | |||
Investment Operations: | |||||||
Net investment income (loss) (a) | 0.22 | 0.06 | 0.20 | 0.06 | |||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.49) | 0.16 | (0.46) | 0.16 | |||
Total from investment operations | (0.27) | 0.22 | (0.26) | 0.22 | |||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||
Net investment income | (0.18) | (0.16) | (0.19) | (0.16) | |||
Net realized gains | (0.01) | (0.00) (b) | (0.11) | (0.00) (b) | |||
Total distributions | (0.19) | (0.16) | (0.30) | (0.16) | |||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.46) | 0.06 | (0.56) | 0.06 | |||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.60 | $10.06 | $ 9.50 | $10.06 | |||
Total Return (c) | (2.65)% | 2.20% | (2.53)% | 2.18% | |||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $ 222 | $ 168 | $ 162 | $ 168 | |||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 7.69% | 59.62 % (d) | 29.76% | 59.48 % (d) | |||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.02% | 0.37 % (d) | 0.02% | 0.37 % (d) | |||
Net investment income | 2.20% | 2.28 % (d) | 1.96% | 2.29 % (d) | |||
Portfolio turnover rate | 40% | 7 % (e) | 73% | 7 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations. |
State
Street Target
Retirement Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2015 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2020 Fund |
|||||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ 10.03 | $10.00 | $10.03 | $10.00 | $ 10.13 | $10.00 | |||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||||
Net investment income (a) | 0.20 | 0.06 | 0.22 | 0.06 | 0.23 | 0.04 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.25) | 0.02 | (0.30) | 0.03 | (0.39) | 0.13 | |||||
Total from investment operations | (0.05) | 0.08 | (0.08) | 0.09 | (0.16) | 0.17 | |||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.19) | (0.05) | (0.18) | (0.06) | (0.22) | (0.04) | |||||
Net realized gains | (0.01) | (0.00) (b) | (0.05) | (0.00) (b) | (0.01) | (0.00) (b) | |||||
Total distributions | (0.20) | (0.05) | (0.23) | (0.06) | (0.23) | (0.04) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.25) | 0.03 | (0.31) | 0.03 | (0.39) | 0.13 | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.78 | $10.03 | $ 9.72 | $10.03 | $ 9.74 | $10.13 | |||||
Total Return (c) | (0.49)% | 0.75% | (0.74)% | 0.92% | (1.57)% | 1.67% | |||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $22,265 | $1,558 | $3,707 | $1,740 | $52,303 | $6,399 | |||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 1.15% | 25.06 % (d) | 5.07% | 18.68 % (d) | 0.55% | 11.13 % (d) | |||||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.01% | 0.17 % (d) | 0.02% | 0.17 % (d) | 0.01% | 0.17 % (d) | |||||
Net investment income | 1.99% | 2.59 % (d) | 2.19% | 2.50 % (d) | 2.29% | 1.62 % (d) | |||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 31% | 8 % (e) | 55% | 39 % (e) | 39% | 5 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations. |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2025 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2030 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2035 Fund |
|||||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ 10.16 | $10.00 | $ 10.15 | $10.00 | $ 10.17 | $10.00 | |||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||||
Net investment income (a) | 0.29 | 0.05 | 0.25 | 0.07 | 0.32 | 0.03 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.47) | 0.15 | (0.44) | 0.15 | (0.51) | 0.20 | |||||
Total from investment operations | (0.18) | 0.20 | (0.19) | 0.22 | (0.19) | 0.23 | |||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.20) | (0.04) | (0.20) | (0.07) | (0.18) | (0.06) | |||||
Net realized gains | (0.03) | – | (0.00) (b) | – | (0.02) | – | |||||
Total distributions | (0.23) | (0.04) | (0.20) | (0.07) | (0.20) | (0.06) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.41) | 0.16 | (0.39) | 0.15 | (0.39) | 0.17 | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.75 | $10.16 | $ 9.76 | $10.15 | $ 9.78 | $10.17 | |||||
Total Return (c) | (1.77)% | 2.04% | (1.83)% | 2.23% | (1.90)% | 2.25% | |||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $21,815 | $5,597 | $48,114 | $3,243 | $17,223 | $3,208 | |||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 1.31% | 11.75 % (d) | 0.59% | 14.05 % (d) | 1.83% | 17.89 % (d) | |||||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.03% | 0.17 % (d) | 0.03% | 0.17 % (d) | 0.03% | 0.17 % (d) | |||||
Net investment income | 2.86% | 2.19 % (d) | 2.42% | 2.64 % (d) | 3.12% | 1.28 % (d) | |||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 51% | 13 % (e) | 33% | 18 % (e) | 38% | 7 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations. |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2040 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2045 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2050 Fund |
|||||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ 10.13 | $10.00 | $10.06 | $10.00 | $10.06 | $10.00 | |||||
Investment Operations: | |||||||||||
Net investment income (a) | 0.25 | 0.05 | 0.30 | 0.06 | 0.28 | 0.06 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.47) | 0.18 | (0.55) | 0.17 | (0.55) | 0.16 | |||||
Total from investment operations | (0.22) | 0.23 | (0.25) | 0.23 | (0.27) | 0.22 | |||||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.19) | (0.10) | (0.17) | (0.17) | (0.18) | (0.16) | |||||
Net realized gains | (0.00) (b) | – | (0.01) | – | (0.00) (b) | (0.00) (b) | |||||
Total distributions | (0.19) | (0.10) | (0.18) | (0.17) | (0.18) | (0.16) | |||||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.41) | 0.13 | (0.43) | 0.06 | (0.45) | 0.06 | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.72 | $10.13 | $ 9.63 | $10.06 | $ 9.61 | $10.06 | |||||
Total Return (c) | (2.18)% | 2.28% | (2.40)% | 2.25% | (2.71)% | 2.25% | |||||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $35,359 | $1,512 | $8,374 | $ 335 | $5,736 | $ 168 | |||||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.79% | 20.53 % (d) | 3.25% | 30.02 % (d) | 4.65% | 59.52 % (d) | |||||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.02% | 0.17 % (d) | 0.01% | 0.17 % (d) | 0.02% | 0.17 % (d) | |||||
Net investment income | 2.47% | 1.90 % (d) | 2.99% | 2.53 % (d) | 2.82% | 2.48 % (d) | |||||
Portfolio turnover rate | 38% | 5 % (e) | 35% | 5 % (e) | 35% | 7 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations. |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2055 Fund |
State
Street Target
Retirement 2060 Fund |
||||||
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
Year
Ended 12/31/15 |
For
the
Period 9/30/14* - 12/31/14 |
||||
Per Share Operating Performance: | |||||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.06 | $10.00 | $10.06 | $10.00 | |||
Investment Operations: | |||||||
Net investment income (a) | 0.27 | 0.06 | 0.19 | 0.06 | |||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | (0.55) | 0.16 | (0.45) | 0.16 | |||
Total from investment operations | (0.28) | 0.22 | (0.26) | 0.22 | |||
Less Distributions From: | |||||||
Net investment income | (0.18) | (0.16) | (0.20) | (0.16) | |||
Net realized gains | (0.01) | (0.00) (b) | (0.11) | (0.00) (b) | |||
Total distributions | (0.19) | (0.16) | (0.31) | (0.16) | |||
Net increase (decrease) in net assets | (0.47) | 0.06 | (0.57) | 0.06 | |||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.59 | $10.06 | $ 9.49 | $10.06 | |||
Total Return (c) | (2.75)% | 2.25% | (2.53)% | 2.24% | |||
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |||||||
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $3,043 | $ 168 | $ 269 | $ 168 | |||
Ratios to average net assets: | |||||||
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates | 7.69% | 59.42 % (d) | 29.76% | 59.28 % (d) | |||
Expenses net of waiver and payments by affiliates | 0.02% | 0.17 % (d) | 0.02% | 0.17 % (d) | |||
Net investment income | 2.64% | 2.48 % (d) | 1.88% | 2.49 % (d) | |||
Portfolio turnover rate | 40% | 7 % (e) | 73% | 7 % (e) |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Amount is less than $0.005 per share. |
(c) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates of each Fund. Total return for periods of less than one year is not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(d) | Annualized. |
(e) | Not annualized. |
* | Commencement of operations. |
Online: | www.ssgafunds.com | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (800) 647-7327 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITTDSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00% |
Other Expenses | 0.03% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1 | 0.08% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $29,596 since October 1, 2012, of which $29,596 is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$8 | $26 | $45 | $103 |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
• | Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities. |
Class G | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
• | Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities. |
• | more than three years after the end of the fiscal year for the Fund in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; |
• | in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; |
• | to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of the Fund on that day; |
• | to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Fund's net yield to fall below the Fund's minimum net yield as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion; or |
• | in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain the Fund's contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
Minimum Initial Investment | $1,000,000,000 |
Maximum Investment | None. |
Initial Sales Charge | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. |
Deferred (CDSC) Sales Charge | No. |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | No. |
Redemption Fees | No. |
By Mail: |
An
initial investment in the Fund must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, sent to:
State Street Funds P.O. Box 8048 Boston, Massachusetts 02205-8048 |
By Overnight: |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, Massachusetts 02021-2809 |
By Telephone/Fax: |
An initial investment in the Fund must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, faxed to (816) 218-0400. Call the Fund at (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. ET to: |
➣ confirm
receipt of the faxed Institutional Account Application Form (initial purchases only),
➣ request your new account number (initial purchases only), ➣ confirm the amount being wired and wiring bank, and ➣ receive a confirmation number for your purchase order (your trade is not effective until you have received a confirmation number from the Fund). |
For your initial investment, send the original, signed Institutional Account Application Form to the address above. |
Wire Instructions: |
Instruct
your bank to transfer money by Federal Funds wire to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02110 |
ABA#
011000028
DDA# 9905-801-8 State Street Institutional Investment Trust Fund Name Class Name Account Number Account Registration |
On Columbus Day and Veterans Day, you will not be able to purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds because the Federal Funds wiring does not occur on those days. Payment for Fund Shares must be in Federal Funds (or converted to Federal Funds by the Transfer Agent) by the close of the Federal Reserve. |
You will not be able to redeem shares from the account until the original Application has been received. The Fund and the Fund's agents are not responsible for transfer errors by the sending or receiving bank and will not be liable for any loss incurred due to a wire transfer not having been received. |
• | Your account address has changed within the last 10 business days. |
• | Redemption proceeds are being transferred to an account with a different registration. |
• | A wire is being sent to a financial institution other than the one that has been established on your Fund account. |
• | Other unusual situations as determined by the Transfer Agent. |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Year |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
||||||
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
Class G | ||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $0.0002 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0002 | $(0.0002) | |||||
2014 (f) | $1.0000 | $0.0000 | $0.0000 | $0.0000 | $(0.0000) (d) |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
(f) | The Fund's Class G Shares commenced operations on October 5, 2014. |
** | Annualized. |
Net
Asset
Value End of Year |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Investment
Income |
Net
Expense Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Class G | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.02% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.02% | 0.00% (e) | $732,938 | |||||||
2014 (f) | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.09%** | 0.08%** | 0.00% (e) ** | 0.01%** | $872,335 |
Online: | www.ssga.com/cash | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (877) 521-4083 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITCLGSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None | None | None | None | None | ||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None | None | None | None | None |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Management Fee | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | ||||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.03% | 0.25% | 0.35% | 0.08% | None | ||||
Other Expenses 1 | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.56% | 1.78% | 1.88% | 1.61% | 1.53% | ||||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 | (1.38)% | (1.38)% | (1.38)% | (1.38)% | (1.38)% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | 0.18% | 0.40% | 0.50% | 0.23% | 0.15% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.10% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
3 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Institutional | $18 | $212 | |
Administration | $41 | $282 | |
Investment | $51 | $313 | |
Investor | $24 | $228 | |
Premier | $15 | $203 |
Institutional Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Administration Class | |
To establish an account | $5,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investment Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investor Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Premier Class | |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None | None | None | None | None | ||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None | None | None | None | None |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Management Fee | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.10% | ||||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.03% | 0.25% | 0.35% | 0.08% | None | ||||
Other Expenses 1 | 0.36% | 0.36% | 0.36% | 0.36% | 0.36% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.49% | 0.71% | 0.81% | 0.54% | 0.46% | ||||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 | (0.29)% | (0.29)% | (0.29)% | (0.29)% | (0.29)% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | 0.20% | 0.42% | 0.52% | 0.25% | 0.17% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.12% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
3 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Institutional | $20 | $ 97 | |
Administration | $43 | $167 | |
Investment | $53 | $199 | |
Investor | $26 | $113 | |
Premier | $17 | $ 87 |
Institutional Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Administration Class | |
To establish an account | $5,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investment Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investor Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Premier Class | |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None | None | None | None | None | ||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None | None | None | None | None |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Management Fee | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.10% | 0.10% | ||||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.03% | 0.25% | 0.35% | 0.08% | None | ||||
Other Expenses 1 | 1.14% | 1.14% | 1.14% | 1.14% | 1.14% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.27% | 1.49% | 1.59% | 1.32% | 1.24% | ||||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 | (1.07)% | (1.07)% | (1.07)% | (1.07)% | (1.07)% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.20% | 0.42% | 0.52% | 0.25% | 0.17% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.12% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Institutional | $20 | $184 | |
Administration | $43 | $254 | |
Investment | $53 | $285 | |
Investor | $26 | $200 | |
Premier | $17 | $174 |
Institutional Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Administration Class | |
To establish an account | $5,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investment Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investor Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Premier Class | |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None | None | None | None | None | ||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None | None | None | None | None |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Management Fee | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | 0.08% | ||||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.03% | 0.25% | 0.35% | 0.08% | None | ||||
Other Expenses 1 | 1.17% | 1.17% | 1.17% | 1.17% | 1.17% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.28% | 1.50% | 1.60% | 1.33% | 1.25% | ||||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 | (1.10)% | (1.10)% | (1.10)% | (1.10)% | (1.10)% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.18% | 0.40% | 0.50% | 0.23% | 0.15% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.10% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Institutional | $18 | $181 | |
Administration | $41 | $251 | |
Investment | $51 | $282 | |
Investor | $24 | $197 | |
Premier | $15 | $171 |
Institutional Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Administration Class | |
To establish an account | $5,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investment Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investor Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Premier Class | |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None | None | None | None | None | ||||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None | None | None | None | None |
Institutional | Administration | Investment | Investor | Premier | |||||
Management Fee | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | 0.05% | ||||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.03% | 0.25% | 0.35% | 0.08% | None | ||||
Other Expenses 1 | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | 1.45% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.53% | 1.75% | 1.85% | 1.58% | 1.50% | ||||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 | (1.38)% | (1.38)% | (1.38)% | (1.38)% | (1.38)% | ||||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 3 | 0.15% | 0.37% | 0.47% | 0.20% | 0.12% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.07% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
3 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Institutional | $15 | $203 | |
Administration | $38 | $272 | |
Investment | $48 | $304 | |
Investor | $20 | $218 | |
Premier | $12 | $193 |
Institutional Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Administration Class | |
To establish an account | $5,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investment Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investor Class | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Premier Class | |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Institutional | Investment | ||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None | None | |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None | None |
Institutional | Investment | ||
Management Fee | 0.25% | 0.25% | |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.03% | 0.35% | |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.97% | 0.97% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.25% | 1.57% | |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 2 | (0.90)% | (0.90)% | |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.35% | 0.67% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class-specific expenses, such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.30% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Institutional | $36 | $213 | |
Investment | $68 | $314 |
Institutional Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
Investment Class | |
To establish an account | $25,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No minimum |
• | more than three years after the end of the fiscal year for the Fund in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; |
• | in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; |
• | to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of a Fund on that day; |
• | to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Fund's net yield to fall below the Fund's minimum net yield as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion; or |
• | in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain a Fund's contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
Institutional Class | Administration Class | Investment Class | Investor Class | Premier Class | |
Minimum Initial Investment | $25,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $25,000,000 | $10,000,000 | $500,000,000 |
Maximum Investment | None. | None. | None. | None. | None. |
Initial Sales Charge | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. | No. Entire purchase price is invested in shares of a Fund. |
Institutional Class | Administration Class | Investment Class | Investor Class | Premier Class | |
Deferred (CDSC) Sales Charge | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.03% annual fee. | 0.25% annual fee. | 0.35% annual fee. | 0.08% annual fee. | No. |
Redemption Fees | No. | No. | No. | No. | No. |
By Mail: |
An
initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, sent to:
State Street Funds P.O. Box 8048 Boston, Massachusetts 02205-8048 |
By Overnight: |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, Massachusetts 02021-2809 |
By Telephone/Fax: |
An initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, faxed to (816) 218-0400. Call the Fund at (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. ET to: |
➣ confirm
receipt of the faxed Institutional Account Application Form (initial purchases only),
➣ request your new account number (initial purchases only), ➣ confirm the amount being wired and wiring bank, and ➣ receive a confirmation number for your purchase order (your trade is not effective until you have received a confirmation number from the Fund). |
For your initial investment, send the original, signed Institutional Account Application Form to the address above. |
Wire Instructions: |
Instruct
your bank to transfer money by Federal Funds wire to:
State Street Bank and Trust Company 1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02110 |
ABA#
011000028
DDA# 9905-801-8 State Street Institutional Investment Trust Fund Name Class Name Account Number Account Registration |
On Columbus Day and Veterans Day, you will not be able to purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds because the Federal Funds wiring does not occur on those days. Payment for Fund Shares must be in Federal Funds (or converted to Federal Funds by the Transfer Agent) by the close of the Federal Reserve. |
You will not be able to redeem shares from the account until the original Application has been received. The Funds and the Funds' agents are not responsible for transfer errors by the sending or receiving bank and will not be liable for any loss incurred due to a wire transfer not having been received. |
By Mail: |
Send
a signed letter to:
State Street Institutional Investment Trust Funds P.O. Box 8048 Boston, MA 02205-8048 |
The letter should include information necessary to process your request as described below. The Fund may require a medallion guarantee in certain circumstances. See “Medallion Guarantees” below. | |
By Overnight: |
State
Street Institutional Investment Trust Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, Massachusetts 02021-2809 |
By Telephone: | Please call (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. and 5 p.m. ET. |
The Funds will need the following information to process your redemption request: | |
➣ name(s)
of account owners;
➣ account number(s); ➣ the name of the Fund; ➣ your daytime telephone number; and ➣ the dollar amount or number of shares being redeemed. |
• | Your account address has changed within the last 10 business days. |
• | Redemption proceeds are being transferred to an account with a different registration. |
• | A wire is being sent to a financial institution other than the one that has been established on your Fund account. |
• | Other unusual situations as determined by the Transfer Agent. |
• | The State Street Funds' transfer agent compiles, monitors and reports account-level information on underlying shareholder activity using two proprietary systems, which are implemented on a risk-based approach designed to identify trading that could adversely impact the State Street Funds; |
• | The State Street Funds' distributor has obtained information from each financial intermediary holding shares in an omnibus account with the State Street Funds regarding whether the intermediary has adopted and maintains procedures that are reasonably designed to protect the State Street Funds against harmful short-term trading; and |
• | With respect to State Street Funds that invest in securities that trade on foreign markets, pursuant to the State Street Funds' fair valuation procedures, pricing adjustments may be made based on information received from a third-party, multi-factor fair valuation pricing service. |
• | If the State Street Funds discover that an investor or a client of an intermediary has engaged in Excessive Trading, the State Street Fund's distributor may send a notice to the account owner or intermediary informing them that the account issued a warning and future Excessive Trading may result in further action including suspension or termination of the account; |
• | If the same account engages in another Round Trip following the issuance of a warning, the State Street Funds' distributor will instruct State Street Funds' transfer agent or intermediary to stop all future purchases on the account for a period of 90 days which will prevent the account from effecting further purchases of the State Street Fund (the “Stop Purchase instruction”); |
• | At the end of 90 days from the date the Stop Purchase instruction was placed on the account, the Stop Purchase instruction will be removed and the account will be eligible to accept additional purchases; and |
• | If, after the Stop Purchase instruction has been removed, the account continues to engage in Excessive Trading, the State Street Funds' distributor will take appropriate action, which may include issuing additional alert notices, placing further Stop Purchase instruction(s) on the account or directing immediate account closure. |
Online: | www.ssga.com/cash | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (877) 521-4083 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITCASHSTATPRO | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | N/A |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.55% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2 | 0.55% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Portfolio to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Portfolio has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Portfolio. Any future reimbursement by the Portfolio of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Portfolio's expenses and reduce the Portfolio's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Portfolio will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | |
$56 | $176 |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | N/A |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.09% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2 | 0.09% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Portfolio to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Portfolio has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Portfolio. Any future reimbursement by the Portfolio of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Portfolio's expenses and reduce the Portfolio's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Portfolio will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | |
$9 | $29 |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | N/A |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.27% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.27% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
1 year | 3 years | |
$28 | $87 |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | N/A |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.31% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.31% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
1 year | 3 years | |
$32 | $100 |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | N/A |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.55% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 2 | 0.55% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
2 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Portfolio to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Portfolio has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Portfolio. Any future reimbursement by the Portfolio of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Portfolio's expenses and reduce the Portfolio's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Portfolio will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | |
$56 | $176 |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | N/A |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | N/A |
Other Expenses 1 | 0.27% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.27% |
1 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
1 year | 3 years | |
$28 | $87 |
• | more than three years after the end of the fiscal year in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; |
• | in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; |
• | to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of the Portfolio on that day; |
• | to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Portfolio's net yield to fall below the Portfolio's minimum net yield as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion; or |
• | in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain the Portfolio's contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
• | The State Street Funds' transfer agent compiles, monitors and reports account-level information on underlying shareholder activity using two proprietary systems, which are implemented on a risk-based approach designed to identify trading that could adversely impact the State Street Funds; |
• | The State Street Funds' distributor has obtained information from each financial intermediary holding shares in an omnibus account with the State Street Funds regarding whether the intermediary has adopted and maintains procedures that are reasonably designed to protect the State Street Funds against harmful short-term trading; and |
• | With respect to State Street Funds that invest in securities that trade on foreign markets, pursuant to the State Street Funds' fair valuation procedures, pricing adjustments may be made based on information received from a third-party, multi-factor fair valuation pricing service. |
• | If the State Street Funds discover that an investor or a client of an intermediary has engaged in Excessive Trading, the State Street Fund's distributor may send a notice to the account owner or intermediary informing them that the account issued a warning and future Excessive Trading may result in further action including suspension or termination of the account; |
• | If the same account engages in another Round Trip following the issuance of a warning, the State Street Funds' distributor will instruct State Street Funds' transfer agent or intermediary to stop all future purchases on the account for a period of 90 days which will prevent the account from effecting further purchases of the State Street Fund (the “Stop Purchase instruction”); |
• | At the end of 90 days from the date the Stop Purchase instruction was placed on the account, the Stop Purchase instruction will be removed and the account will be eligible to accept additional purchases; and |
• | If, after the Stop Purchase instruction has been removed, the account continues to engage in Excessive Trading, the State Street Funds' distributor will take appropriate action, which may include issuing additional alert notices, placing further Stop Purchase instruction(s) on the account or directing immediate account closure. |
Online: | www.ssga.com/cash | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (800) 997-7327 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITPORTSTATPRO2 | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.10% |
Other Expenses | 0.34% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.49% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 1 | (0.02)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.47% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees, as measured on an annualized basis) exceed 0.07% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Adviser may also voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $1,129,582 since October 1, 2012, of which $134,969 is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$48 | $155 | $272 | $614 |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Investment Class | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.24% | 10/24/2007 |
• | more than three years after the end of the fiscal year for the Fund in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; |
• | in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; |
• | to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of the Fund on that day; |
• | to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Fund's net yield to fall below the Fund's minimum net yield as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion; or |
• | in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain the Fund's contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
• | The VanEck Money Fund name and account number. |
• | Number of shares or dollar amount to be redeemed, or a request to sell “all shares.” |
• | Signatures of all registered account holders, exactly as those names appear on the account registration, including any additional documents concerning authority and related matters in case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodians, partnerships and corporations, as requested by DST. |
• | Special instructions, including bank wire information or special payee or address. |
• | The redemption is for $50,000 or more. |
• | The redemption amount is wired. |
• | The redemption amount is paid to someone other than the registered owner. |
• | The redemption amount is sent to an address other than the address of record. |
• | The address of record has been changed within the past 30 days. |
• | The VanEck Money Fund name and account number to be exchanged out of |
• | The VanEck Fund to be exchanged into |
• | Directions to exchange “all shares” or a specific number of shares or dollar amount |
• | Signatures of all registered account holders, exactly as those names appear on the account registration, including any additional documents concerning authority and related matters in the case of estates, trusts, guardianships, custodianships, partnerships, and corporations, as requested by DST. |
• | To suspend sales of shares to the public. |
• | To reject any purchase order. |
• | To reject any exchange request and to modify or terminate exchange privileges. |
• | To pay for redeemed shares within seven days after receiving your redemption order if, in the judgment of VanEck or the Adviser, an earlier payment could adversely affect the VanEck Money Fund or the Treasury Plus Fund. |
• | To suspend the right of redemption and to postpone for more than seven days the date of payment upon redemption as follows: (i) during periods when the New York Stock Exchange is closed other than weekends and holidays or when trading on such Exchange is restricted, (ii) during periods in which, as a result of an emergency, disposal or evaluation of the net asset value of the portfolio securities is not reasonably practicable or (iii) for such other periods as the Securities and Exchange Commission may permit. |
Year Ended December 31, |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Year |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
Distributions
from Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions |
||||||
Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Investment Class | |||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $– | $ – | $ – | ||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $– | $ – | $ – | ||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $(0.0001) | $0.0001 | $0.0000 (d) | $– | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | ||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $– | $ – | $ – | ||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $– | $ – | $ – |
Year Ended December 31, |
Net Asset
Value End of Year |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Net
Investment Income |
Expense
Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | |||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.49% | 0.06% | 0.00% (e) | 0.43% | $ 60,041 | ||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.48% | 0.05% | 0.00% (e) | 0.43% | $ 74,781 | ||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.48% | 0.08% | 0.00% (e) | 0.40% | $ 73,449 | ||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.49% | 0.13% | 0.00% (e) | 0.36% | $ 95,222 | ||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.49% | 0.08% | 0.00% (e) | 0.41% | $141,023 |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
• | Call VanEck at 800-826-1115, or visit the VanEck website at vaneck.com to request, free of charge, the annual or semi-annual reports, the SAI, or other information about the Fund. |
• | Information about the Fund (including the SAI) can be reviewed and copied at the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Public Reference Room in Washington, DC. Information about the operation of the Public Reference Room may be obtained by calling 202-942-8090. |
• | Reports and other information about the Fund are available on the EDGAR Database on the SEC's internet site at http://www.sec.gov. In addition, copies of this information may be obtained, after paying a duplicating fee, by electronic request at the following email address: publicinfo@sec.gov, or by writing the SEC's Public Reference Section, Washington, DC 20549-0102. |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.10% |
Other Expenses | 0.32% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1 | 0.47% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $5,892,527 since October 1, 2012, none of which is potentially recoverable under theVoluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$48 | $151 | $263 | $591 |
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Investment Class | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.44% | 10/15/2007 |
To establish an account | $2,000.00 |
To add to an existing account | $100.00 |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.10% |
Other Expenses | 0.32% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1 | 0.47% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $8,199,514 since October 1, 2012, of which $615,321 is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$48 | $151 | $263 | $591 |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
• | Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities. |
To establish an account | $2,000.00 |
To add to an existing account | $100.00 |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.10% |
Other Expenses | 0.34% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.49% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 1 | (0.02)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.47% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees, as measured on an annualized basis) exceed 0.07% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Adviser may also voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $1,129,582 since October 1, 2012, of which $134,969 is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$48 | $155 | $272 | $614 |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Investment Class | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.24% | 10/24/2007 |
To establish an account | $2,000.00 |
To add to an existing account | $100.00 |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
• | Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities. |
• | more than three years after the end of the fiscal year for the Fund in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; |
• | in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; |
• | to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of a Fund on that day; |
• | to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Fund's net yield to fall below the Fund's minimum net yield as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion; or |
• | in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain a Fund's contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
By Mail: |
An initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Neuberger Berman Fund Application Form, sent to: |
Neuberger
Berman Funds
c/o State Street Institutional Trust Funds 30 Dan Road Canton, Massachusetts 02021-2809 Your first investment must be at least $2,000. Additional investments can be as little as $100. All checks must be made out to “Neuberger Berman Funds”. Neuberger Berman will not accept checks made out to you or other parties and signed over to it. Neuberger Berman cannot accept cash, money orders, starter checks, cashier's checks, traveler's checks or other cash equivalents. You will be responsible for any losses or fees resulting from a bad check. If necessary, Neuberger Berman may effect sales of Fund shares belonging to you in order to cover these losses. |
By Telephone: |
An initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Neuberger Berman Fund Application Form. Neuberger Berman does not accept phone orders for a first investment. To add shares to an existing account using FUNDfone», call (800) 335-9366. |
Additional shares will be purchased when your order is accepted by the Funds. Additional investments must be for at least $100. |
For your initial investment, send the original, signed Neuberger Berman Account Application Form to the address above. |
Wire Instructions: |
Before wiring any money, call (800) 877-9700 for an order confirmation. Please have your financial institution send your wire to Neuberger Berman's account at State Street Bank and Trust Company and include your name, the Fund name, your account number and other information as requested. |
State
Street Bank/Boston
ABA# 011-000028 Attn: NB Deposit Account DDA#9904-199-8 |
On Columbus Day and Veterans Day, you will not be able to purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds because the Federal Funds wiring does not occur on those days. Payment for Fund Shares must be in Federal Funds (or converted to Federal Funds by the Transfer Agent) by the close of the Federal Reserve. |
By Internet: |
You may place an order with Neuberger Berman to purchase shares for your account by placing an order online at www.nb.com. |
You will not be able to redeem shares from the account until the original Application has been received. The Funds and the Funds' agents are not responsible for transfer errors by the sending or receiving bank and will not be liable for any loss incurred due to a wire transfer not having been received. |
• | both accounts must have the same registration; |
• | you will need to observe the minimum account balance requirements for the fund accounts involved; and |
• | because an exchange is treated as a sale for tax purposes, consider any tax consequences before placing your order. |
• | reject any exchange or purchase order; |
• | suspend or reject any future purchase order from any investor who does not provide payment to settle a purchase order; |
• | change, suspend or revoke the exchange privilege; and |
• | suspend the telephone order privilege. |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Period |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
Distributions
from Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions |
||||||||
Period Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the corresponding Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
Net Asset
Value End of Period |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Period Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Net
Investment Income |
Expense
Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.24% | 0.00% (e) | 0.23% | $ 485,292 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.19% | 0.00% (e) | 0.28% | $ 726,910 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.22% | 0.00% (e) | 0.25% | $1,013,152 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.32% | 0.00% (e) | 0.15% | $ 961,168 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.46% | 0.27% | 0.00% (e) | 0.19% | $ 992,736 |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Year |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
||||||
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ 0.0000 (d) | $– | |||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $(0.0000) (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | $– | |||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ 0.0000 (d) | $– | |||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0000 (d) | $– | |||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $(0.0001) | $0.0001 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $– |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
Net
Asset
Value End of Year |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Investment
Income |
Net
Expense Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.10% | 0.00% (e) | 0.37% | $971,551 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.07% | 0.00% (e) | 0.40% | $615,706 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.10% | 0.00% (e) | 0.37% | $691,469 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.14% | 0.00% (e) | 0.33% | $654,978 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.11% | 0.00% (e) | 0.36% | $638,101 |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Year |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
Distributions
from Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions |
||||||||
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $– | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $– | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $(0.0001) | $0.0001 | $0.0000 (d) | $– | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $– | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $– | $ – | $ – |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
Net Asset
Value End of Year |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Net
Investment Income |
Expense
Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.49% | 0.06% | 0.00% (e) | 0.43% | $ 60,041 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.48% | 0.05% | 0.00% (e) | 0.43% | $ 74,781 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.48% | 0.08% | 0.00% (e) | 0.40% | $ 73,449 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.49% | 0.13% | 0.00% (e) | 0.36% | $ 95,222 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.49% | 0.08% | 0.00% (e) | 0.41% | $141,023 |
00165794 | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00% |
Other Expenses | 0.07% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1 | 0.12% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had not waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$12 | $39 | $68 | $154 |
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years | 10-Years |
Inception
Date |
||||
Premier Class | 0.12% | 0.13% | 1.43% | 8/12/2004 |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No Minimum |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00% |
Other Expenses | 0.07% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1 | 0.12% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $9,402,526 since October 1, 2012, of which $9,099,693 is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$12 | $39 | $68 | $154 |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
• | Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities. |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No Minimum |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.00% |
Other Expenses | 0.09% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.14% |
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 1 | (0.02)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.12% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees, as measured on an annualized basis) exceed 0.07% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. The Adviser may also voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $4,728,573 since October 1, 2012, of which $3,788,577 is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$12 | $43 | $77 | $177 |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Premier Class | 0.00% | 0.01% | 0.29% | 10/24/2007 |
To establish an account | $500,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | No Minimum |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed as to principal and/or interest, as applicable, by the U.S. government or its agencies and instrumentalities, such as U.S. Treasury securities and securities issued by the Government National Mortgage Association (“GNMA”), which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; |
• | Obligations issued or guaranteed by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal National Mortgage Association, and U.S. government-sponsored entities such as the Federal Home Loan Bank, which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States; and |
• | Repurchase agreements with respect to U.S. government securities. |
• | more than three years after the end of the fiscal year for the Fund in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; |
• | in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; |
• | to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of a Fund on that day; |
• | to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Fund's net yield to fall below the Fund's minimum net yield as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion; or |
• | in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain a Fund's contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
By Mail: |
An initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, sent to: |
Neuberger
Berman Funds
c/o State Street Institutional Trust Funds P.O. Box 8048 Boston, Massachusetts 02205-8048 |
By Overnight: |
Neuberger
Berman Funds
c/o State Street Institutional Trust Funds 30 Dan Road Canton, Massachusetts 02021-2809 |
By Telephone/Fax: |
An
initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Institutional Account Application Form, faxed to (816) 218-0400. Call the Fund at (866) 392-0869 between the hours of 8:00 a.m. ET and 5:00 p.m. ET to:
➣ confirm receipt of the faxed Institutional Account Application Form (initial purchases only), ➣ request your new account number (initial purchases only), ➣ confirm the amount being wired and wiring bank, and ➣ receive a confirmation number for your purchase order (your trade is not effective until you have received a confirmation number from the Fund). For your initial investment, send the original, signed Institutional Account Application Form to the address above. |
Wire Instructions: |
Instruct your bank to transfer money by Federal Funds wire to: |
State
Street Bank and Trust Company
1 Iron Street Boston, MA 02110 ABA# 011-000028 DDA#9905-801-8 State Street Institutional Investment Trust Fund Class Account Number Account Registration |
On Columbus Day and Veterans Day, you will not be able to purchase shares by wiring Federal Funds because the Federal Funds wiring does not occur on those days. Payment for Fund shares must be in Federal Funds (or converted to Federal Funds by the Transfer Agent) by the close of the Federal Reserve. |
You will not be able to redeem shares from the account until the original Application has been received. The Funds and the Funds' agents are not responsible for transfer errors by the sending or receiving bank and will not be liable for any loss incurred due to a wire transfer not having been received. |
• | reject any exchange or purchase order; |
• | suspend or reject any future purchase order from any investor who does not provide payment to settle a purchase order; |
• | change, suspend or revoke the exchange privilege; and |
• | suspend the telephone order privilege. |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Period |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
Distributions
from Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions |
||||||||
Period Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $0.0012 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0012 | $(0.0012) | $ – | $(0.0012) | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $0.0008 | $(0.0001) | $0.0007 | $(0.0007) | $ – | $(0.0007) | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $0.0010 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0010 | $(0.0010) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0010) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $0.0020 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0020 | $(0.0020) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0020) | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $0.0015 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0015 | $(0.0015) | $ – | $(0.0015) |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the corresponding Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
Net Asset
Value End of Period |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Period Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Net
Investment Income |
Expense
Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.12% | – | $45,207,442 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.07% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.07% | – | $37,932,781 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.10% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.10% | – | $29,850,029 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.20% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.20% | – | $24,408,802 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.15% | 0.12% | 0.12% | 0.15% | – | $19,597,264 |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Year |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
||||||
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0000 | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $(0.0000) (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | $ – | |||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0001 | $ – | $ 0.0001 | $(0.0001) | |||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0003 | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0003 | $(0.0003) | |||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0002 | $0.0000 (d) | $ 0.0002 | $(0.0002) |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total returns for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
Net
Asset
Value End of Year |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Investment
Income |
Net
Expense Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.12% | 0.09% | 0.00% (e) | 0.03% | $13,516,264 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.12% | 0.07% | 0.00% (e) | 0.05% | $10,962,800 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.01% | 0.12% | 0.09% | 0.01% | 0.03% | $ 7,189,250 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.03% | 0.13% | 0.12% | 0.03% | 0.01% | $ 7,114,213 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.02% | 0.12% | 0.10% | 0.02% | 0.02% | $ 5,139,795 |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Year |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
Distributions
from Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions |
||||||||
Year Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $ – | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $(0.0001) | $0.0001 | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0002 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0002 | $(0.0002) | $ – | $(0.0002) | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $ 0.0001 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0001 | $(0.0001) | $ – | $(0.0001) |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
Net Asset
Value End of Year |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Year Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Net
Investment Income |
Expense
Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Premier Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.14% | 0.06% | 0.00% (e) | 0.08% | $1,684,652 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.13% | 0.05% | 0.00% (e) | 0.08% | $2,690,959 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.13% | 0.08% | 0.00% (e) | 0.05% | $2,679,596 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.02% | 0.14% | 0.11% | 0.02% | 0.03% | $2,203,141 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.01% | 0.14% | 0.06% | 0.01% | 0.08% | $1,220,159 |
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | None |
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None |
Management Fee | 0.05% |
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.10% |
Other Expenses | 0.32% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 1 | 0.47% |
1 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), may voluntarily reduce all or a portion of its fees and/or reimburse expenses of the Fund to the extent necessary to avoid a negative yield (the “Voluntary Reduction”), or a yield below a specified level, which may vary from time to time in the Adviser's sole discretion. The Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2012. As of December 31, 2015, the Adviser had waived fees and/or reimbursed expenses in the aggregate amount of $5,892,527, since October 1, 2012, none of which is potentially recoverable under the Voluntary Reduction. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund. Any future reimbursement by the Fund of the Voluntary Reduction would increase the Fund's expenses and reduce the Fund's yield. There is no guarantee that the Voluntary Reduction will be in effect at any given time or that the Fund will be able to avoid a negative yield. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | |||
$48 | $151 | $263 | $591 |
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund | 1-Year | 5-Years |
Since
Inception |
Inception
Date |
||||
Investment Class | 0.00% | 0.00% | 0.44% | 10/15/2007 |
To establish an account | $1,000.00 |
To add to an existing account | $100.00 |
• | more than three years after the end of the fiscal year for the Fund in which the Adviser provided a Voluntary Reduction; |
• | in respect of any business day for which the net annualized one-day yield is less than 0.00%; |
• | to the extent that the amount of the reimbursement to the Adviser on any day exceeds fifty percent of the yield (net of all expenses, exclusive of the reimbursement) of the Fund on that day; |
• | to the extent that the amount of such reimbursement would cause the Fund's net yield to fall below the Fund's minimum net yield as determined by the Adviser in its sole discretion; or |
• | in respect of any fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements that are necessary to maintain the Fund's contractual total expense limit which is effective at the time of such fee waivers and/or expense reimbursements. |
By Mail: |
An
initial investment in the Funds must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Highland Capital Fund Application Form, sent to:
Highland Liquid Reserves Fund PO Box 8656 Boston, MA 02266-8656 |
Your first investment must be at least $1,000. Additional investments can be as little as $100. All checks must be made out to “Highland Capital Fund”. Highland Capital will not accept checks made out to you or other parties and signed over to it. Highland Capital cannot accept cash, money orders, starter checks, cashier's checks, traveler's checks or other cash equivalents. You will be responsible for any losses or fees resulting from a bad check. If necessary, Highland Capital may effect sales of Fund shares belonging to you in order to cover these losses. |
By Telephone: |
An initial investment in the Fund must be preceded or accompanied by a completed, signed Highland Capital Fund Application Form. Highland Capital does not accept phone orders for a first investment. To add shares to an existing account, call (877) 665-1287. |
Additional shares will be purchased when your order is accepted by the Fund. Additional investments must be for at least $100. |
For your initial investment, send the original, signed Highland Capital Account Application Form to the address above. |
Wire Instructions: |
Before wiring any money, call (877) 665-1287 for an order confirmation. Please have your financial institution send your wire to Highland Capital's account at State Street Bank and Trust Company and include your name, the Fund name, your account number and other information as requested. |
State
Street Bank/Boston
ABA#011-000028 Attn: NB Deposit Account DDA#9904-199-8 |
On Columbus Day and Veterans Day, you will not be able to wire Federal Funds. Payment for Fund shares must be in Federal Funds (or converted to Federal Funds by the Transfer Agent) by the close of the Federal Reserve. |
By Internet: |
You may place an order with Highland Capital to purchase shares for your account by placing an order online at www.highlandfunds.com. |
You will not be able to redeem shares from the account until the original Application has been received. The Fund and the Fund's agents are not responsible for transfer errors by the sending or receiving bank and will not be liable for any loss incurred due to a wire transfer not having been received. |
• | both accounts must have the same registration; |
• | you will need to observe the minimum account balance requirements for the fund accounts involved; and |
• | because an exchange is treated as a sale for tax purposes, consider any tax consequences before placing your order. |
• | reject any exchange or purchase order; |
• | suspend or reject any future purchase order from any investor who does not provide payment to settle a purchase order; |
• | change, suspend or revoke the exchange privilege; and |
• | suspend the telephone order privilege. |
Net
Asset
Value Beginning of Period |
Net
Investment Income/(Loss) |
Gain
(Loss) on Investments |
Total
from
Investment Operations |
Distributions
from Net Investment Income |
Distributions
from Capital Gains |
Total
Distributions |
||||||||
Period Ended December 31, | ||||||||||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | $(0.0000) (d) | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $0.0000 (d) | $ – | $ – | $ – |
(a) | The per share amounts and percentages include the Fund's proportionate share of income and expenses of the corresponding Portfolio. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | This expense waiver is reflected in both the net operating expense and the net investment income ratios shown above. Without these waivers, net investment income would have been lower. |
(d) | Amount is less than $0.00005 per share. |
(e) | Amount is less than 0.005%. |
Net Asset
Value End of Period |
Ratios to Average Net Assets/Supplemental Data |
Net
Assets
End of Year (000s omitted) |
||||||||||||
Period Ended December 31, |
Total
Return (b) |
Gross
Expenses |
Net
Expenses |
Net
Investment Income |
Expense
Waiver (c) |
|||||||||
Investment Class | ||||||||||||||
2015 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.24% | 0.00% (e) | 0.23% | $ 485,292 | |||||||
2014 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.19% | 0.00% (e) | 0.28% | $ 726,910 | |||||||
2013 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.22% | 0.00% (e) | 0.25% | $1,013,152 | |||||||
2012 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.47% | 0.32% | 0.00% (e) | 0.15% | $ 961,168 | |||||||
2011 | $1.0000 | 0.00% (e) | 0.46% | 0.27% | 0.00% (e) | 0.19% | $ 992,736 |
00165984 | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee 3 | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | 0.14% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 4 | 0.30% | 0.30% | 0.30% | 0.10% | |||
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses 4 | 0.17% | 0.17% | 0.17% | 0.17% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 0.86% | 1.61% | 0.61% | 0.41% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 5 | (0.21)% | (0.21)% | (0.21)% | (0.21)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.65% | 1.40% | 0.40% | 0.20% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), has agreed to reduce its advisory fee by an amount equal to the amount of any advisory fee paid by State Street International Developed Equity Index Portfolio, a separate series of State Street Master Funds (the “Portfolio”), with respect to the assets of the Fund invested in the Portfolio. This arrangement may not be terminated except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
4 | Other expenses and acquired fund fees and expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
5 | The Adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses other than the fees of the Portfolio, and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.15% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $588 | $765 | $957 | $1,512 | |||
Class C | $243 | $488 | $856 | $1,893 | |||
Class I | $ 41 | $174 | $319 | $ 742 | |||
Class K | $ 20 | $110 | $209 | $ 497 |
1 year | 3 years | 5 years | 10 years | ||||
Class A | $588 | $765 | $957 | $1,512 | |||
Class C | $143 | $488 | $856 | $1,893 | |||
Class I | $ 41 | $174 | $319 | $ 742 | |||
Class K | $ 20 | $110 | $209 | $ 497 |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee 3 | 0.11% | 0.11% | 0.11% | 0.11% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 4 | 0.95% | 0.95% | 0.95% | 0.75% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.31% | 2.06% | 1.06% | 0.86% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements 5 | (0.72)% | (0.72)% | (0.72)% | (0.72)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 0.59% | 1.34% | 0.34% | 0.14% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), has agreed to reduce its advisory fee by an amount equal to the amount of any advisory fee paid by State Street International Developed Equity Index Portfolio, a separate series of State Street Master Funds (the “Portfolio”), with respect to the assets of the Fund invested in the Portfolio. This arrangement may not be terminated except with the approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
4 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
5 | The Adviser is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, Administration, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.09% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $582 | $851 | |
Class C | $236 | $576 | |
Class I | $ 35 | $265 | |
Class K | $ 14 | $202 |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $582 | $851 | |
Class C | $136 | $576 | |
Class I | $ 35 | $265 | |
Class K | $ 14 | $202 |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund | 0.14% |
State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund | 0.11% |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | |
Availability | Available to the general public through certain financial intermediaries. | Available to the general public through certain financial intermediaries. |
Limited
to certain investors, including:
• Certain banks, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries. • Certain employer- sponsored retirement plans. • Certain employees or affiliates of State Street Corporation or its affiliates |
Limited to certain investors, including certain qualified recordkeepers and employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
Minimum Initial Investment | $2,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee-based programs where an agreement is in place. | $2,000 | $1,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors (e.g., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. | $10,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. |
Maximum Investment | None. | $999,999; none for omnibus retirement plans | None. | None. |
1 | Class A advanced commission for purchases over $1 million: |
1.00% | First $3 million |
Plus 0.50% | Next $12 million |
Plus 0.25% | Over $15 million |
2 | If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Fund, you will not be assessed a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Distributor pays broker-dealers advanced commissions that are calculated on a year-by-year basis based on the amounts invested during that year. Accordingly, with respect to additional purchase amounts, the advanced commission breakpoint resets annually to the first breakpoint on the anniversary of the first purchase. You may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds if you redeem your shares within 18 months after purchase. |
1. | Your account(s); |
2. | Account(s) of your spouse or domestic partner; |
3. | Account(s) of children under the age of 21 who share your residential address; |
4. | Trust accounts established by any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. If the person(s) who established the trust is deceased, the trust account may be aggregated with the account(s) of the primary beneficiary of the trust; |
5. | Solely controlled business accounts; and |
6. | Single-participant retirement plans of any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. |
1. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions. |
2. | Acquired in exchange for shares of another Class A State Street Fund that were previously assessed a sales charge. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares at the same CDSC rate. |
3. | Bought in State Street Funds that do not offer Class N (no load) shares 1 by officers, directors or trustees, retirees and employees and their immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and any dependent of the person, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code) of: |
• | The State Street Funds |
• | State Street Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates |
4. | Bought by employees of: |
• | Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. |
• | Financial Intermediaries of financial institutions that have entered into selling agreements with the Funds or Distributor and their subsidiaries and affiliates (or otherwise have an arrangement with a Financial Intermediary or financial institution with respect to sales of Fund shares). This waiver includes the employees' immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents and any dependent of the employee, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code). |
5. | Bought by: |
• | Authorized retirement plans serviced or sponsored by a Financial Intermediary, provided that such Financial Intermediary has entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor or with the Fund with respect to such purchases at NAV. |
• | Investors who are directly rolling over or transferring shares from an established State Street Fund or State Street qualified retirement plan. Rolling over or transferring shares involves the transferring of shares (in-kind); there is no cash movement associated with the transaction. |
• | Clients of Financial Intermediaries that (i) charge an ongoing fee for advisory, management, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor to offer Class A shares through a no-load network or platform, or self-directed brokerage accounts that may or may not charge transaction fees to customers. |
• | Insurance company separate accounts. |
• | Tuition Programs that qualify under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. |
6. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class A shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A and Class C Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
7. | Bought in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which a Fund is a party. However, you may pay a CDSC when you sell the Fund Shares you received in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
1 | State Street Funds that offer Class N Shares include: SSGA Clarion Real Estate Fund (SSREX), SSGA Dynamic Small Cap Fund (SVSCX), State Street Disciplined Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SSEMX), SSGA Enhanced Small Cap Fund (SESPX), SSGA High Yield Bond Fund (SSHYX), SSGA International Stock Selection Fund (SSAIX) and SSGA S&P 500 Index Fund (SVSPX). |
Years Since Purchase |
CDSC
As a % of Dollar Amount
Subject to Charge |
0-1 | 1.00 |
After First Year | NONE |
1. | If you participate in the Automatic Withdrawal Plan (AWP). Redemptions made on a regular periodic basis ( e.g . monthly) will not be subject to any applicable CDSC if they are, in the aggregate, less than or equal to 10% annually of the current market value of the account balance. Redemptions made as part of a required minimum distribution are also included in calculating amounts eligible for this waiver. For information on the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, please see the section of the Prospectus entitled “ Service Options. ” |
2. | If you are a registered participant or beneficial owner of an account and you die or become disabled (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code). This waiver is only available for accounts open prior to the shareholder's or beneficiary's death or disability, and the redemption must be made within one year of such event. Subsequent purchases into such account are not eligible for the CDSC waiver. In order to qualify for this waiver, the Distributor must be notified of such death or disability at the time of the redemption order and be provided with satisfactory evidence of such death or disability. |
3. | Redemptions that represent a required minimum distribution from your IRA Account or other qualifying retirement plan but only if you are at least age 70 1/2. If you maintain more than one IRA, only the assets credited to the IRA that is invested in one or more of the State Street Funds are considered when calculating that portion of your minimum required distribution that qualifies for the waiver. |
4. | A distribution from a qualified retirement plan by reason of the participant's retirement. |
5. | Redemptions that are involuntary and result from a failure to maintain the required minimum balance in an account. |
6. | Exchanges in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which a Fund is a party. However, you may pay a sales charge when you redeem the Fund Shares you receive in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
7. | Exchanges for shares of the same class of another State Street Fund. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares. For purposes of the CDSC, shares will continue to age from the date of the original purchase of the Fund shares. |
8. | Redemption of shares purchased through employer sponsored retirement plans, and deferred compensation plans. The CDSC, however, will not be waived if the plan redeems all of the shares that it owns on behalf of participants prior to the applicable CDSC period, as defined above. |
9. | Redemptions as part of annual IRA custodial fees. |
10. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. |
11. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class C shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A and Class C Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
1. | Banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including registered investment advisers and financial planners) purchasing shares on behalf of their clients in: |
• | discretionary and non-discretionary advisory programs; |
• | fund supermarkets; |
• | asset allocation programs; |
• | other programs in which the client pays an asset-based fee for advice or for executing transactions in Fund Shares or for otherwise participating in the program; or |
• | certain other investment programs that do not charge an asset-based fee; |
2. | Qualified state tuition plans described in Section 529 of the Code and donor-advised charitable gift funds (subject to all applicable terms and conditions); |
3. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code; |
4. | Certain other registered open-end investment companies whose shares are distributed by the Distributor; |
5. | Certain retirement and deferred compensation programs established by State Street Corporation or its affiliates for their employees or the Funds' Trustees; |
6. | Current or retired Directors or Trustees of the State Street Funds, officers and employees of SSGA, and any of its subsidiaries, such persons' spouses, and children under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such person is a beneficiary; |
7. | Investments made in connection with certain mergers and/or reorganizations as approved by the Adviser; |
8. | The reinvestment of dividends from Class I shares in additional Class I shares of a Fund; and |
9. | Qualified recordkeepers with a distribution and/or fund servicing agreement maintained with the Funds' Distributor. |
1. | Qualified recordkeepers with an applicable agreement maintained with the Funds' Distributor; |
2. | Defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, endowments and foundations with greater than $10 million in a qualified tax-exempt plan; |
3. | Employers with greater than $10 million in the aggregate between qualified and non-qualified plans that they sponsor; and |
4. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code. |
• | The State Street Funds' transfer agent compiles, monitors and reports account-level information on underlying shareholder activity using two proprietary systems, which are implemented on a risk-based approach designed to identify trading that could adversely impact the State Street Funds; |
• | The State Street Funds' distributor has obtained information from each Financial Intermediary holding shares in an omnibus account with the State Street Funds regarding whether the Financial Intermediary has adopted and maintains procedures that are reasonably designed to protect the Funds against harmful short-term trading; and |
• | With respect to State Street Funds that invest in securities that trade on foreign markets, pursuant to the State Street Funds' fair valuation procedures, pricing adjustments may be made based on information received from a third-party, multi-factor fair valuation pricing service. |
• | If the State Street Funds discover that an investor or a client of a Financial Intermediary has engaged in Excessive Trading, the State Street Fund's distributor may send a notice to the account owner or Financial Intermediary informing them that the account issued a warning and future Excessive Trading may result in further action including suspension or termination of the account; |
• | If the same account engages in another Round Trip following the issuance of a warning, the State Street Funds' distributor will instruct State Street Funds' transfer agent or Financial Intermediary to stop all future purchases on the account for a period of 90 days which will prevent the account from effecting further purchases of the State Street Fund (the “Stop Purchase instruction”); |
• | At the end of 90 days from the date the Stop Purchase instruction was placed on the account, the Stop Purchase instruction will be removed and the account will be eligible to accept additional purchases; and |
• | If, after the Stop Purchase instruction has been removed, the account continues to engage in Excessive Trading, the State Street Funds' distributor will take appropriate action, which may include issuing additional alert notices, placing further Stop Purchase instruction(s) on the account or directing immediate account closure. |
1. | Alter, add, or discontinue any conditions of purchase (including eligibility requirements), redemption, exchange, service, or privilege at any time; |
2. | Accept initial purchases by telephone; |
3. | Freeze any account and/or suspend account services if the State Street Funds has received reasonable notice of a dispute regarding the assets in an account, including notice of a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners, or if we reasonably believe a fraudulent transaction may occur or has occurred; |
4. | Temporarily freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to the State Street Funds of the death of the shareholder until the State Street Funds receive required documentation in good order; |
5. | Alter, impose, discontinue, or waive any redemption fee, account service fee, or other fees charged to a group of shareholders; and |
6. | Redeem an account or suspend account privileges, without the owner's permission to do so, in cases of threatening conduct or activity the State Street Funds believe to be suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal. |
• | Reinvestment Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. If you do not indicate a choice on the application, this option will be automatically assigned. |
• | Income-Earned Option—Capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested, but a check, direct deposit or wire will be sent for each dividend distribution. |
• | Cash Option—A check, wire or direct deposit will be sent for each dividend and capital gain distribution. |
• | Direct Dividends Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically invested in another identically registered State Street Fund of the same share class. |
Period
from
5/29/15 – 12/31/15* |
|
Per Share Operating Performance: | |
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $ 10.00 |
Investment Operations: | |
Net investment income (a) | 0.09 |
Net realized and unrealized loss on investments | (1.00) |
Total from investment operations | (0.91) |
Less Distributions From: | |
Net investment income | (0.06) |
Net realized gains | (0.03) |
Total distributions | (0.09) |
Net decrease in net assets | (1.00) |
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $ 9.00 |
Total Return (b) | (9.01)% |
Ratios and Supplemental Data: | |
Net Assets, End of Period (000s) | $958,544 |
Ratios to average net assets: | |
Expenses before waiver and payments by affiliates (c) | 0.38% |
Expenses net of waivers and payments by affiliates (c) | 0.20% |
Net investment income (c) | 1.60% |
Portfolio turnover rate (d) | 1% |
* | Inception date and commencement of operations. |
(a) | Net investment income per share is calculated using the average shares method. |
(b) | Total return is calculated assuming a purchase of shares at net asset value on the first day and a sale at net asset value on the last day of each period reported. Distributions are assumed, for the purpose of this calculation, to be reinvested at net asset value per share on the respective payment dates. Total return for periods of less than one year are not annualized. Results represent past performance and are not indicative of future results. |
(c) | Annualized. |
(d) | Not annualized. |
Online: | www.ssgafunds.com | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (800) 647-7327 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITSTATPRO2 | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.65% | 0.65% | 0.65% | 0.65% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 2.38% | 2.38% | 2.38% | 2.18% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 4 | 3.28% | 4.03% | 3.03% | 2.83% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | (2.18)% | (2.18)% | (2.18)% | (2.18)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 1.10% | 1.85% | 0.85% | 0.65% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.65% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $631 | $1,288 |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class C | $288 | $1,028 | |
Class I | $ 87 | $ 731 | |
Class K | $ 66 | $ 670 |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $631 | $1,288 | |
Class C | $188 | $1,028 | |
Class I | $ 87 | $ 731 | |
Class K | $ 66 | $ 670 |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.75% | 0.75% | 0.75% | 0.75% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 1.46% | 1.46% | 1.46% | 1.26% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 4 | 2.46% | 3.21% | 2.21% | 2.01% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | (1.26)% | (1.26)% | (1.26)% | (1.26)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 1.20% | 1.95% | 0.95% | 0.75% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.75% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $641 | $1,137 | |
Class C | $298 | $ 871 | |
Class I | $ 97 | $ 570 | |
Class K | $ 77 | $ 508 |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $641 | $1,137 | |
Class C | $198 | $ 871 | |
Class I | $ 97 | $ 570 | |
Class K | $ 77 | $ 508 |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Maximum Sales Charge (Load) Imposed on Purchases (as a percentage of offering price) | 5.25% | None | None | None | |||
Maximum Deferred Sales Charge (Load) (as a percentage of the lower of the sale proceeds or the original offering price) | None 1 | 1.00% 2 | None | None |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | ||||
Management Fee | 0.85% | 0.85% | 0.85% | 0.85% | |||
Distribution and/or Shareholder Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | 1.00% | 0.00% | 0.00% | |||
Other Expenses 3 | 2.53% | 2.53% | 2.53% | 2.33% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses 4 | 3.63% | 4.38% | 3.38% | 3.18% | |||
Less Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | (2.33)% | (2.33)% | (2.33)% | (2.33)% | |||
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waivers and/or Expense Reimbursements | 1.30% | 2.05% | 1.05% | 0.85% |
1 | A contingent deferred sales charge (“CDSC”) of 1.00% may be assessed on redemptions of Class A shares made within 18 months after purchase where no initial sales charge was paid at the time of purchase as part of an investment of $1,000,000 or more. |
2 | There is no CDSC on Class C shares redeemed more than one year after purchase. A 1.00% CDSC may be assessed on redemptions of Class C Shares during the first year only. |
3 | Other expenses are based on estimates for the current fiscal year. |
4 | The Fund's investment adviser, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the “Adviser” or “SSGA FM”), is contractually obligated until April 30, 2017 to waive its management fee and/or to reimburse the Fund for expenses to the extent that Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses (exclusive of non-recurring account fees, extraordinary expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and any class specific expenses such as Distribution, Shareholder Servicing, and Sub-Transfer Agency Fees) exceed 0.85% of average daily net assets on an annual basis. This waiver and/or reimbursement may not be terminated prior to April 30, 2017 except with approval of the Fund's Board of Trustees. |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $650 | $1,374 |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class C | $308 | $1,115 | |
Class I | $107 | $ 821 | |
Class K | $ 87 | $ 761 |
1 year | 3 years | ||
Class A | $650 | $1,374 | |
Class C | $208 | $1,115 | |
Class I | $107 | $ 821 | |
Class K | $ 87 | $ 761 |
Class A | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class C | |
To establish an account | $2,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class I | |
To establish an account | $1,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Class K | |
To establish an account | $10,000,000 |
To add to an existing account | None |
Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund | 0.65% |
Disciplined Global. Equity Fund | 0.75% |
Disciplined International. Equity Fund | 0.85% |
Class A | Class C | Class I | Class K | |
Availability | Available to the general public through certain financial intermediaries. | Available to the general public through certain financial intermediaries. |
Limited
to certain investors, including:
• Certain banks, broker-dealers and other financial intermediaries. • Certain employer- sponsored retirement plans. • Certain employees or affiliates of State Street Corporation or its affiliates |
Limited to certain investors, including certain qualified recordkeepers and employer-sponsored retirement plans. |
Minimum Initial Investment | $2,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee-based programs where an agreement is in place. | $2,000 | $1,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors (e.g., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. | $10,000,000. The investment minimum may be modified, waived or reduced for certain types of investors ( e.g ., 401(k) or 403(b) plans) and investments as well as for certain fee- based programs where an agreement is in place. |
Maximum Investment | None. | $999,999; none for omnibus retirement plans | None. | None. |
1 | Class A advanced commission for purchases over $1 million: |
1.00% | First $3 million |
Plus 0.50% | Next $12 million |
Plus 0.25% | Over $15 million |
2 | If you purchase $1,000,000 or more of Class A shares of a Fund, you will not be assessed a sales charge at the time of purchase. The Distributor pays broker-dealers advanced commissions that are calculated on a year-by-year basis based on the amounts invested during that year. Accordingly, with respect to additional purchase amounts, the advanced commission breakpoint resets annually to the first breakpoint on the anniversary of the first purchase. You may be charged a deferred sales charge of 1.00% of the lesser of the original cost of the shares being redeemed or your redemption proceeds if you redeem your shares within 18 months after purchase. |
1. | Your account(s); |
2. | Account(s) of your spouse or domestic partner; |
3. | Account(s) of children under the age of 21 who share your residential address; |
4. | Trust accounts established by any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. If the person(s) who established the trust is deceased, the trust account may be aggregated with the account(s) of the primary beneficiary of the trust; |
5. | Solely controlled business accounts; and |
6. | Single-participant retirement plans of any of the individuals in items (1) through (3) above. |
1. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gain distributions. |
2. | Acquired in exchange for shares of another Class A State Street Fund that were previously assessed a sales charge. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares at the same CDSC rate. |
3. | Bought in State Street Funds that do not offer Class N (no load) shares 1 by officers, directors or trustees, retirees and employees and their immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents, and any dependent of the person, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code) of: |
• | The State Street Funds |
• | State Street Corporation and its subsidiaries and affiliates |
4. | Bought by employees of: |
• | Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and its subsidiaries and affiliates. |
• | Financial Intermediaries of financial institutions that have entered into selling agreements with the Funds or Distributor and their subsidiaries and affiliates (or otherwise have an arrangement with a Financial Intermediary or financial institution with respect to sales of Fund shares). This waiver includes the employees' immediate family members (i.e., spouses, domestic partners, children, grandchildren, parents, grandparents and any dependent of the employee, as defined in Section 152 of the Internal Revenue Code). |
5. | Bought by: |
• | Authorized retirement plans serviced or sponsored by a Financial Intermediary, provided that such Financial Intermediary has entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor or with the Fund with respect to such purchases at NAV. |
• | Investors who are directly rolling over or transferring shares from an established State Street Fund or State Street qualified retirement plan. Rolling over or transferring shares involves the transferring of shares (in-kind); there is no cash movement associated with the transaction. |
• | Clients of Financial Intermediaries that (i) charge an ongoing fee for advisory, management, consulting or similar services, or (ii) have entered into an agreement with the Fund's Distributor to offer Class A shares through a no-load network or platform, or self-directed brokerage accounts that may or may not charge transaction fees to customers. |
• | Insurance company separate accounts. |
• | Tuition Programs that qualify under Section 529 of the Internal Revenue Code. |
6. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class A shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A and Class C Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
7. | Bought in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which a Fund is a party. However, you may pay a CDSC when you sell the Fund Shares you received in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
1 | State Street Funds that offer Class N Shares include: SSGA Clarion Real Estate Fund (SSREX), SSGA Dynamic Small Cap Fund (SVSCX), State Street Disciplined Emerging Markets Equity Fund (SSEMX), SSGA Enhanced Small Cap Fund (SESPX), SSGA High Yield Bond Fund (SSHYX), SSGA International Stock Selection Fund (SSAIX) and SSGA S&P 500 Index Fund (SVSPX). |
Years Since Purchase |
CDSC
As a % of Dollar Amount
Subject to Charge |
0-1 | 1.00 |
After First Year | NONE |
1. | If you participate in the Automatic Withdrawal Plan (AWP). Redemptions made on a regular periodic basis ( e.g . monthly) will not be subject to any applicable CDSC if they are, in the aggregate, less than or equal to 10% annually of the current market value of the account balance. Redemptions made as part of a required minimum distribution are also included in calculating amounts eligible for this waiver. For information on the Automatic Withdrawal Plan, please see the section of the Prospectus entitled “ Service Options. ” |
2. | If you are a registered participant or beneficial owner of an account and you die or become disabled (as defined in Section 72(m)(7) of the Code). This waiver is only available for accounts open prior to the shareholder's or beneficiary's death or disability, and the redemption must be made within one year of such event. Subsequent purchases into such account are not eligible for the CDSC waiver. In order to qualify for this waiver, the Distributor must be notified of such death or disability at the time of the redemption order and be provided with satisfactory evidence of such death or disability. |
3. | Redemptions that represent a required minimum distribution from your IRA Account or other qualifying retirement plan but only if you are at least age 70 1/2. If you maintain more than one IRA, only the assets credited to the IRA that is invested in one or more of the State Street Funds are considered when calculating that portion of your minimum required distribution that qualifies for the waiver. |
4. | A distribution from a qualified retirement plan by reason of the participant's retirement. |
5. | Redemptions that are involuntary and result from a failure to maintain the required minimum balance in an account. |
6. | Exchanges in connection with plans of reorganization of a State Street Fund, such as mergers, asset acquisitions and exchange offers to which a Fund is a party. However, you may pay a sales charge when you redeem the Fund Shares you receive in connection with the plan of reorganization. |
7. | Exchanges for shares of the same class of another State Street Fund. However, if your shares are subject to CDSC, the CDSC will continue to apply to your new shares. For purposes of the CDSC, shares will continue to age from the date of the original purchase of the Fund shares. |
8. | Redemption of shares purchased through employer sponsored retirement plans, and deferred compensation plans. The CDSC, however, will not be waived if the plan redeems all of the shares that it owns on behalf of participants prior to the applicable CDSC period, as defined above. |
9. | Redemptions as part of annual IRA custodial fees. |
10. | Acquired through the reinvestment of dividends and capital gains distributions. |
11. | Bought with proceeds from the sale of Class C shares of a State Street Fund, but only if the purchase is made within 90 days of the sale or distribution. Appropriate documentation may be required. Please refer to Class A and Class C Account Reinstatement Privileges below. |
1. | Banks, broker-dealers and other financial institutions (including registered investment advisers and financial planners) purchasing shares on behalf of their clients in: |
• | discretionary and non-discretionary advisory programs; |
• | fund supermarkets; |
• | asset allocation programs; |
• | other programs in which the client pays an asset-based fee for advice or for executing transactions in Fund Shares or for otherwise participating in the program; or |
• | certain other investment programs that do not charge an asset-based fee; |
2. | Qualified state tuition plans described in Section 529 of the Code and donor-advised charitable gift funds (subject to all applicable terms and conditions); |
3. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code; |
4. | Certain other registered open-end investment companies whose shares are distributed by the Distributor; |
5. | Certain retirement and deferred compensation programs established by State Street Corporation or its affiliates for their employees or the Funds' Trustees; |
6. | Current or retired Directors or Trustees of the State Street Funds, officers and employees of SSGA, and any of its subsidiaries, such persons' spouses, and children under the age of 21, and trust accounts for which any of such person is a beneficiary; |
7. | Investments made in connection with certain mergers and/or reorganizations as approved by the Adviser; |
8. | The reinvestment of dividends from Class I shares in additional Class I shares of a Fund; and |
9. | Qualified recordkeepers with a distribution and/or fund servicing agreement maintained with the Funds' Distributor. |
1. | Qualified recordkeepers with an applicable agreement maintained with the Funds' Distributor; |
2. | Defined benefit plans, defined contribution plans, endowments and foundations with greater than $10 million in a qualified tax-exempt plan; |
3. | Employers with greater than $10 million in the aggregate between qualified and non-qualified plans that they sponsor; and |
4. | Defined contribution, defined benefit and other employer-sponsored employee benefit plans, whether or not qualified under the Code. |
• | The State Street Funds' transfer agent compiles, monitors and reports account-level information on underlying shareholder activity using two proprietary systems, which are implemented on a risk-based approach designed to identify trading that could adversely impact the State Street Funds; |
• | The State Street Funds' distributor has obtained information from each Financial Intermediary holding shares in an omnibus account with the State Street Funds regarding whether the Financial Intermediary has adopted and maintains procedures that are reasonably designed to protect the Funds against harmful short-term trading; and |
• | With respect to State Street Funds that invest in securities that trade on foreign markets, pursuant to the State Street Funds' fair valuation procedures, pricing adjustments may be made based on information received from a third-party, multi-factor fair valuation pricing service. |
• | If the State Street Funds discover that an investor or a client of a Financial Intermediary has engaged in Excessive Trading, the State Street Fund's distributor may send a notice to the account owner or Financial Intermediary informing them that the account issued a warning and future Excessive Trading may result in further action including suspension or termination of the account; |
• | If the same account engages in another Round Trip following the issuance of a warning, the State Street Funds' distributor will instruct State Street Funds' transfer agent or Financial Intermediary to stop all future purchases on the account for a period of 90 days which will prevent the account from effecting further purchases of the State Street Fund (the “Stop Purchase instruction”); |
• | At the end of 90 days from the date the Stop Purchase instruction was placed on the account, the Stop Purchase instruction will be removed and the account will be eligible to accept additional purchases; and |
• | If, after the Stop Purchase instruction has been removed, the account continues to engage in Excessive Trading, the State Street Funds' distributor will take appropriate action, which may include issuing additional alert notices, placing further Stop Purchase instruction(s) on the account or directing immediate account closure. |
1. | Alter, add, or discontinue any conditions of purchase (including eligibility requirements), redemption, exchange, service, or privilege at any time; |
2. | Accept initial purchases by telephone; |
3. | Freeze any account and/or suspend account services if the State Street Funds has received reasonable notice of a dispute regarding the assets in an account, including notice of a dispute between the registered or beneficial account owners, or if we reasonably believe a fraudulent transaction may occur or has occurred; |
4. | Temporarily freeze any account and/or suspend account services upon initial notification to the State Street Funds of the death of the shareholder until the State Street Funds receive required documentation in good order; |
5. | Alter, impose, discontinue, or waive any redemption fee, account service fee, or other fees charged to a group of shareholders; and |
6. | Redeem an account or suspend account privileges, without the owner's permission to do so, in cases of threatening conduct or activity the State Street Funds believe to be suspicious, fraudulent, or illegal. |
• | Reinvestment Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested in additional shares of the Fund. If you do not indicate a choice on the application, this option will be automatically assigned. |
• | Income-Earned Option—Capital gain distributions will be automatically reinvested, but a check, direct deposit or wire will be sent for each dividend distribution. |
• | Cash Option—A check, wire or direct deposit will be sent for each dividend and capital gain distribution. |
• | Direct Dividends Option—Dividends and capital gain distributions will be automatically invested in another identically registered State Street Fund of the same share class. |
1 Year | 3 Year | 5 Year |
Since
Inception
(1/1/2009) |
|
Composite Net of Class A Fees and Expenses (reflects the impact of Class A maximum front-end sales load) 4 | -2.57% | 11.97% | 10.93% | 10.74% |
Composite Net of Class A Fees and Expenses (does not reflect the impact of Class A front-end sales load) 4 | 2.82% | 14.00% | 12.13% | 11.60% |
Composite Net of Class C Fees and Expenses (reflects the impact of Class C maximum deferred sales load) | 1.02% | 12.76% | 11.05% | 10.59% |
Composite Net of Class C Fees and Expenses (does not reflect the impact of Class C deferred sales load) | 2.04% | 13.14% | 11.28% | 10.75% |
Composite Net of Class I Fees and Expenses | 3.08% | 14.29% | 12.41% | 11.88% |
Composite Net of Class K Fees and Expenses | 3.29% | 14.52 | 12.64% | 12.11% |
Composite Gross of Fees and Expenses | 4.07% | 15.39% | 13.49% | 12.95% |
MSCI World Index 5 | -0.87% | 9.63% | 7.59% | 11.14% |
2009 | 2010 | 2011 | 2012 | 2013 | 2014 | 2015 | |
Composite Net of Class A Fees and Expenses 7 | 9.13% | 11.45% | 4.01% | 15.02% | 27.77% | 12.78% | 2.82% |
Composite Net of Class C Fees and Expenses 7 | 8.30% | 10.61% | 3.22% | 14.15% | 26.80% | 11.92% | 2.04% |
Composite Net of Class I Fees and Expenses | 9.40% | 11.74% | 4.28% | 15.31% | 28.09% | 13.06% | 3.08% |
Composite Net of Class K Fees and Expenses | 9.62% | 11.96% | 4.49% | 15.54% | 28.35% | 13.29% | 3.29% |
Composite Gross of Fees and Expenses | 10.45% | 12.81% | 5.28% | 16.42% | 29.32% | 14.15% | 4.07% |
MSCI Emerging Markets Small Cap Index 5 | 29.99% | 11.76% | -5.54% | 15.83% | 26.68% | 4.94% | -0.87% |
1 | The Fund represents substantially the same management process and approach as the SSGA Global Managed Volatility Alpha Composite. |
2 | Each SSGA-Global discretionary account included in the SSGA Global Managed Volatility Alpha Composite seeks to provide a total investment return in excess of the performance of its benchmark index over the long term. The SSGA Active Emerging Markets Small Cap Composite has no minimum asset level for inclusion. |
3 | In general, new accounts are included in the Composite at the beginning of the first full month under management on a discretionary basis. Terminated accounts are removed from the Composite after the last full month under management or the last full month in which SSGA-Global maintained discretionary management over the account. Following termination, the performance history of the terminated accounts will remain in the Composite. Monthly rates of return on separate accounts are calculated at least monthly and are increasingly adopting daily methodology. For periods longer than one month, account returns are geometrically linked monthly. Trade-date accounting methodology is used, providing a true time-weighted return. |
4 | Does not reflect the impact of Class A shares contingent deferred sales charge on redemptions of Class A shares within 18 months of purchase in certain circumstances. |
5 | The benchmark for the SSGA Global Managed Volatility Alpha Composite is the MSCI World Index. The index returns are unmanaged and do not reflect the deduction of any fees or expenses. The index returns reflect all items of income, gain and loss and the reinvestment of dividends (net of withholding tax rates) and other income and are calculated in U.S. dollars. It is not possible to invest directly in an index. |
6 | Composite annual total returns net of Class A and Class C share fees and expenses do not reflect front-end or deferred sales loads that may be applicable to Class A and Class C shares. If these amounts were reflected, returns would be less than those shown. |
Online: | www.ssgafunds.com | 24 hours a day, 7 days a week |
Phone: | (800) 647-7327 | Monday – Friday 8 am – 5 pm EST |
Regular mail | Registered, Express, Certified Mail |
State
Street Funds
P.O. Box 8317 Boston, MA 02266-8317 |
State
Street Funds
30 Dan Road Canton, MA 02021 |
SSITSTATPRO3 | The State Street Institutional Investment Trust's Investment Company Act File Number is 811-09819. |
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
(the Trust)
P.O. Box 5049
Boston, Massachusetts 02206
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
April 29, 2016
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL LIQUID RESERVES FUND
Premier Class (SSIXX)
Investment Class (SSVXX)
Service Class (LRSXX)
M Class Shares (SSLXX)
Institutional Class (SSHXX)
Investor Class (SSZXX)
Administration Class (SSYXX)
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL U.S. GOVERNMENT MONEY MARKET FUND
Premier Class (GVMXX)
Investment Class (GVVXX)
Service Class (GVSXX)
Institutional Class (SAHXX)
Investor Class (SAMXX)
Administration Class (SALXX)
Class G (SSOXX)
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL TREASURY MONEY MARKET FUND
Premier Class ( TRIXX)
Investment Class (TRVXX)
Service Class ( TYSXX)
Institutional Class (SSJXX)
Investor Class (SSNXX)
Administration Class (SSKXX)
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL TREASURY PLUS MONEY MARKET FUND
Premier Class (TPIXX)
Investment Class (TPVXX)
Service Class (TPSXX)
Institutional Class (SAJXX)
Investor Class (SAEXX)
Administration Class (SSQXX)
STATE STREET 60 DAY MONEY MARKET FUND
Premier Class (CCKXX)
Investment Class (CCHXX)
Institutional Class (CCDXX)
Investor Class (CCJXX)
Administration Class (CCEXX)
STATE STREET CASH RESERVES FUND
Premier Class (MMEXX)
Investment Class (CCWXX)
Institutional Class (CCQXX)
Investor Class (MMDXX)
Administration Class (CCVXX)
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL LIQUID ASSETS FUND
Premier Class (MMQXX)
Investment Class (MMKXX)
1
Institutional Class (MMFXX)
Investor Class (MMOXX)
Administration Class (MMHXX)
STATE STREET CURRENT YIELD FUND
Premier Class (SSYLX)
Investment Class (SSYFX)
Institutional Class (SSYDX)
Investor Class (SSYHX)
Administration Class (SSYEX)
STATE STREET CONSERVATIVE INCOME FUND
Premier Class (SSKLX)
Investment Class (SSKJX)
Institutional Class (SSKGX)
Investor Class (SSKKX)
Administration Class (SSKHX)
STATE STREET ULTRA SHORT TERM BOND FUND
Institutional Class (SSTUX)
Investment Class (SSUTX)
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) relates to the prospectuses dated April 29, 2016, as amended from time to time thereafter for each of the Funds listed above (each, a Prospectus and collectively, the Prospectuses).
The SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses. A copy of each Prospectus can be obtained free of charge by calling (877) 521-4083 or by written request to the Trust at the address listed above.
The Trusts audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, including the independent registered public accounting firm reports thereon, are included in the Trusts annual report and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. Copies of the Trusts annual reports and semiannual reports are available, without charge, upon request, by calling (877) 521-4083or by written request to the Trust at the address above.
2
4 | ||||
5 | ||||
6 | ||||
17 | ||||
25 | ||||
25 | ||||
29 | ||||
37 | ||||
38 | ||||
39 | ||||
40 | ||||
41 | ||||
52 | ||||
52 | ||||
A-1 | ||||
B-1 | ||||
Appendix C - Advisers Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines |
C-1 |
3
The Trust was organized as a business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 16, 2000.
The Trust is an open-end management investment company. The Trust includes the following diversified series:
| State Street Equity 500 Index Fund; |
| State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund; |
| State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund (the ILR Fund); |
| State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the U.S. Government Fund); |
| State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund (the Treasury Fund); |
| State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund (the Treasury Plus Fund); |
| State Street Strategic Real Return Fund; |
| State Street Target Retirement Fund; |
| State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund; |
| State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund; |
| State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund; |
| State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund; |
| State Street 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 Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund; |
| State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund; |
| State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund; |
| State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio; |
| State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio; |
| State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio; |
| State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio; |
| State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund; |
| State Street Hedged International Equity Index Fund; |
| State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund; |
| State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund; |
| State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio; |
| State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund (the 60 Day Fund); |
| State Street 60 Day Money Market Portfolio (the 60 Day Portfolio); |
| State Street Cash Reserves Fund (the Cash Reserves Fund); |
| State Street Cash Reserves Portfolio (the Cash Reserves Portfolio); |
| State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund (the Liquid Assets Fund); |
| State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio (the Liquid Assets Portfolio); |
4
| State Street Current Yield Fund (the Current Yield Fund); |
| State Street Current Yield Portfolio (the Current Yield Portfolio); |
| State Street Conservative Income Fund (Conservative Income Fund); |
| State Street Conservative Income Portfolio (Conservative Income Portfolio); |
| State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund (the Ultra Short Bond Fund); |
| State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio (the Ultra Short Bond Portfolio); |
| State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund; |
| State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund; and |
| State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund. |
The Trust includes the following non-diversified series:
| State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund |
The ILR Fund, 60 Day Fund, Treasury Fund, Treasury Plus Fund, Cash Reserves Fund, Liquid Assets Fund and U.S. Government Fund are referred to in this SAI as the Money Funds, Money Market Funds, or the Funds. The Treasury Fund and Treasury Plus Fund are also sometimes separately referred to in this SAI as the Treasury Funds. Each Fund may be referred to in context as the Fund as appropriate.
Each Fund listed below as a feeder fund (each a Feeder Fund and collectively the Feeder Funds) seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in a corresponding master portfolio in the Trust or, as indicated below, the State Street Master Funds (each a Portfolio and collectively the Portfolios) that has substantially similar investment strategies to those of the Feeder Fund. The table below shows the respective Portfolio in which each Feeder Fund invests. All Portfolios together are referred to in this SAI as the Portfolios and each Portfolio may be referred to in context as the Portfolio as appropriate.
Feeder Fund |
Master Portfolio |
|
ILR Fund | State Street Money Market Portfolio (Money Market Portfolio)* | |
U.S. Government Fund | State Street U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio (U.S. Government Portfolio)* | |
Treasury Fund | State Street Treasury Money Market Portfolio (Treasury Portfolio)* | |
Treasury Plus Fund 60 Day Fund |
State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Portfolio (Treasury Plus Portfolio)* 60 Day Portfolio |
|
Cash Reserves Fund | Cash Reserves Portfolio | |
Liquid Assets Fund | Liquid Assets Portfolio | |
Current Yield Fund | Current Yield Portfolio | |
Conservative Income Fund | Conservative Income Portfolio | |
Ultra Short Bond Fund | Ultra Short Bond Portfolio |
* | This Portfolio is in the State Street Master Funds |
The Money Market Portfolio, 60 Day Portfolio, Cash Reserves Portfolio, Liquid Assets Portfolio, Treasury Portfolio, Treasury Plus Portfolio and U.S. Government Portfolio are referred to in this SAI as the Money Portfolios, or Money Market Portfolios. The Treasury Portfolio and Treasury Plus Portfolio are also sometimes separately referred to in this SAI as the Treasury Portfolios.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS AND THEIR INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
Each Funds Prospectus contains information about the investment objective and policies of that Fund. This SAI should only be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Fund or Funds in which you intend to invest.
In addition to the principal investment strategies and the principal risks of the Funds and Portfolios described in each Funds Prospectus, a Fund or Portfolio may employ other investment practices and may be subject to additional risks, which are described below. In reviewing these practices of the Feeder Funds, you should assume that the practices of the corresponding Portfolio are the same in all material respects.
5
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
To the extent consistent with its investment objective and restrictions, each Fund or Portfolio may invest in the following instruments and use the following techniques, and is subject to the following additional risks.
Auction Rate Securities.
Auction rate municipal securities permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend or interest is typically reset by Dutch auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is the risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. A Portfolio will take the time remaining until the next scheduled auction date into account for purposes of determining the securities duration.
Cash Reserves
The Funds may hold portions of its assets in short-term debt instruments with remaining maturities of 397 days or less pending investment or to meet anticipated redemptions and day-to-day operating expenses. Short-term debt instruments consist of: (i) short-term obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political subdivisions; (ii) other short-term debt securities rated at the time of purchase Aa or higher by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) or AA or higher by Standard & Poors Rating Group (S&P) or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the Adviser or SSGA FM); (iii) commercial paper; (iv) bank obligations, including negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers acceptances; and (v) repurchase agreements.
Cleared Derivatives Transactions
Under recently adopted rules and regulations, transactions in some types of swaps are required to be centrally cleared. In a cleared derivatives transaction, a Portfolios counterparty to the transaction is a central derivatives clearing organization, or clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Because the Portfolios are not members of a clearing house, and only members of a clearing house can participate directly in the clearing house, the Portfolios hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives transactions, a Portfolio 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 a Portfolio than bilateral (non-cleared) arrangements. For example, a Portfolio 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 a Portfolio, 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. Each Portfolio is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or which the Adviser expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Portfolios behalf. In that case, the transaction might have to be terminated, and the Portfolio 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 Portfolios and clearing members is drafted by the clearing members and generally is less favorable to the Portfolios than typical bilateral derivatives documentation.
These clearing rules and other new rules and regulations could, among other things, restrict a Portfolios ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Portfolio of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Portfolio, 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 Portfolios and the financial system are not yet known.
Custodial Risk
There are risks involved in dealing with the custodians or brokers who hold a Portfolios investments or settle a Portfolios trades. It is possible that, in the event of the insolvency or bankruptcy of a custodian or broker, a Portfolio would be delayed or prevented from recovering its assets from the custodian or broker, or its estate, and may have only a general unsecured claim against the custodian or broker for those assets. In recent insolvencies of brokers or other financial institutions, the ability of certain customers to recover their assets from the insolvents estate has been delayed, limited, or prevented, often unpredictably, and there is no assurance that any assets held by a Portfolio with a custodian or broker will be readily recoverable by the Portfolio. In addition, there may be limited recourse against non-U.S. sub-custodians in those situations in which a Portfolio invests in markets where custodial and/or settlement systems and regulations are not fully developed, including emerging markets, and the assets of the Portfolio have been entrusted to such sub-custodians. SSGA FM or an affiliate may serve as the custodian of the Portfolios.
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Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit (ECDs), Eurodollar Time Deposits (ETDs) and Yankee Certificates of Deposit (YCDs)
The Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios, may invest in ECDs, ETDs and YCDs. ECDs and ETDs are U.S. dollar denominated certificates of deposit issued by foreign branches of domestic banks and foreign banks. YCDs are U.S. dollar denominated certificates of deposit issued by U.S. branches of foreign banks.
Different risks than those associated with the obligations of domestic banks may exist for ECDs, ETDs and YCDs because the banks issuing these instruments, or their domestic or foreign branches, are not necessarily subject to the same regulatory requirements that apply to domestic banks, such as loan limitations, examinations, and reserve, accounting, auditing, recordkeeping and public reporting requirements. Obligations of foreign issuers also involve risks such as future unfavorable political and economic developments, withholding tax, seizures of foreign deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, and other governmental restrictions that might affect repayment of principal or payment of interest, or the ability to honor a credit commitment.
Forward Commitments
The Portfolios may enter into contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time (forward commitments), consistent with the Portfolios ability to manage its investment portfolio, meet redemption requests, and for each applicable Portfolio, maintain a stable NAV. Forward commitments may be considered securities in themselves, and involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, which risk is in addition to the risk of decline in the value of the Portfolios other assets. Where such purchases are made through dealers, the Portfolio relies on the dealer to consummate the sale. The dealers failure to do so may result in the loss to the Portfolio of an advantageous yield or price.
Although a Portfolio will generally enter into forward commitments with the intention of acquiring securities for its portfolio or for delivery pursuant to options contracts it has entered into, a Portfolio may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. A Portfolio may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of forward commitments. When effecting such transactions, cash or other liquid assets (such as liquid high quality debt obligations) held by the Portfolio of a dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the portfolio securities to be purchased will be segregated on the Portfolios records at the trade date and maintained until the transaction is settled. Such segregated assets will be marked to market on a daily basis, and if the market value of such assets declines, additional cash or assets will be segregated so that the market value of the segregated assets will equal the amount of such the Portfolios obligations. Forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, or if the other party fails to complete the transaction.
Government Mortgage-Related Securities
GNMA is the principal federal government guarantor of mortgage-related securities. GNMA is a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It guarantees, with the full faith and credit of the United States, full and timely payment of all monthly principal and interest on its mortgage-related securities. GNMA pass-through securities are considered to have a relatively low risk of default in that (1) the underlying mortgage loan portfolio is comprised entirely of government-backed loans and (2) the timely payment of both principal and interest on the securities is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, regardless of whether they have been collected. GNMA pass-through securities are, however, subject to the same interest rate risk as comparable privately issued mortgage-related securities. Therefore, the effective maturity and market value of a Portfolios GNMA securities can be expected to fluctuate in response to changes in interest rate levels.
Residential mortgage loans are also pooled by FHLMC, a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government. The mortgage loans in FHLMCs portfolio are not government backed; FHLMC, not the U.S. Government, guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal on FHLMC securities. FHLMC also issues guaranteed mortgage certificates, on which it guarantees semiannual interest payments and a specified minimum annual payment of principal.
FNMA is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers, which include savings and loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest only by FNMA, not the U.S. Government.
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Illiquid Securities
Each Portfolio, except for the Treasury Portfolio, may invest in illiquid securities. The absence of a regular trading market for illiquid securities imposes additional risks on investments in these securities. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value and may often be disposed of only after considerable expense and delay.
Each Money Market Portfolio (and Money Market Fund) is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). As a result, each Money Market Portfolio (and Money Market Fund) has adopted the following liquidity policies (except as noted):
1. | The Portfolio/Fund may not purchase an illiquid security if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio/Fund would have invested more than 5% of its total assets in illiquid securities (securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the market value ascribed to them by the Portfolio/Fund); |
2. | The Portfolio/Fund may not purchase a security other than a security offering daily liquidity if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio/Fund would have invested less than 10% of its total assets in securities offering daily liquidity (includes securities that mature or are subject to demand within one business day, cash or direct U.S. Government obligations); and |
3. | The Portfolio/Fund may not purchase a security other than a security offering weekly liquidity if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio/Fund would have invested less than 30% of its total assets in securities offering weekly liquidity (includes securities that mature or are subject to demand within five business days, cash, direct U.S. Government obligations and Government agency discount notes with remaining maturities of 60 days or less). |
Each of Current Yield Portfolio, Conservative Income Portfolio and Ultra Short Bond Portfolio (and each of their corresponding Funds) will invest no more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities or securities that are not readily marketable, including repurchase agreements and time deposits of more than seven days duration.
Industrial Development and Private Activity Bonds
Industrial development bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; ports and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. The principal security for these bonds is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue sources. Although the principal security behind these bonds may vary, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose money may be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuers obligations. Some authorities provide further security in the form of a states ability without obligation to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.
Private activity bonds are considered municipal securities if the interest paid thereon is exempt from federal income tax and they are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports and parking. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facilitys user to meet its financial obligations and the value of any real or personal property pledged as security for such payment. Interest income on these bonds may be an item of tax preference subject to federal alternative minimum tax for individuals and corporations.
Insured Municipal Securities
Insured municipal securities are those for which scheduled payments of interest and principal are guaranteed by a private (non-governmental) insurance company. The insurance entitles a fund to receive only the face or par value of the securities held by the fund, but the ability to be paid is limited to the claims paying ability of the insurer. The insurance does not guarantee the market value of the municipal securities or the net asset value of a Portfolios shares. Insurers are selected based upon the diversification of their portfolios and the strength of the management team which contributes to the claims paying ability of the entity. However, the Adviser selects securities based upon the underlying credit, with bond insurance viewed as an enhancement only. The Advisers objective is to have an enhancement that provides additional liquidity to insulate against volatility in changing markets.
Interest Rate Environment Risk
In the wake of the financial crisis that began in 2007, the Federal Reserve System attempted to stabilize the U.S. economy and support the U.S. economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate at or near zero percent. In addition, the Federal Reserve has purchased large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities on the open market (the quantitative easing program). As a result, the United States is experiencing historically low interest rate levels. A low interest rate environment may have an adverse impact on a Portfolios ability to provide a positive yield to its shareholders and pay expenses out of Portfolio assets because of the low yields from a Portfolios portfolio investments.
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However, continued economic recovery and the cessation of the quantitative easing program increase the risk that interest rates will rise in the near future and that the Portfolios will face a heightened level of interest rate risk. Federal Reserve policy changes may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility and may reduce liquidity for certain Portfolio investments, which could cause the value of a Portfolios investments and a Portfolios share price to decline or create difficulties for the Portfolio in disposing of investments. A Portfolio that invests in derivatives tied to fixed-income markets may be more substantially exposed to these risks than a Portfolio that does not invest in derivatives. The Portfolio could also be forced to liquidate its investments at disadvantageous times or prices, thereby adversely affecting the Portfolio. To the extent a Portfolio experiences high redemptions because of these policy changes, the Portfolio may experience increased portfolio turnover, which will increase the costs that the Portfolio incurs and lower the Portfolios performance.
Investment-Grade Bonds
The Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios and the U.S. Government Portfolio, may invest in corporate notes and bonds that are rated investment-grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) (and, in the case of the Money Market Portfolio, rated in one of the two short-term highest rating categories by at least two NRSROs or by one NRSRO if only one NRSRO has rated the security) or, if unrated, are of comparable quality to the rated securities described above, as determined by the Adviser, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees. Investment-grade securities include securities rated Baa or higher by Moodys or BBB- or higher by S&P (and securities of comparable quality); securities rated Baa or BBB may have speculative characteristics.
Mortgage-Related Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios, may invest in mortgage-related securities. Mortgage-related securities represent an interest in a pool of, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Mortgage-related securities may be issued or guaranteed by (i) US Government agencies or instrumentalities such as the Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) (also known as Ginnie Mae), the Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) (also known as Fannie Mae) and the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) (also known as Freddie Mac) or (ii) other issuers, including private companies.
Many mortgage-related securities provide regular payments which consist of interest and, in most cases, principal. In contrast, other forms of debt securities normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. In effect, payments on many mortgage-related securities are a pass-through of the payments made by the individual borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities.
Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, repayments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans. If property owners make unscheduled prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will typically result in early payment of the applicable mortgage-related securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by a variety of factors including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgage, and other social and demographic conditions. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments tends to increase, thereby tending to decrease the life of mortgage-related securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments usually decreases, thereby tending to increase the life of mortgage-related securities.
Because of the possibility of prepayments (and due to scheduled repayments of principal), mortgage-related securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of locking in attractive long-term interest rates. Prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Portfolios.
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) may be issued by a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality or by a private issuer. CMOs are typically structured with classes or series that have different maturities and are generally retired in sequence. Each class of obligations receives periodic interest payments according to its terms. However, monthly principal payments and any prepayments from the collateral pool are generally paid first to the holders of the most senior class. Thereafter, payments of principal are generally allocated to the next most senior class of obligations until that class of obligations has been fully repaid. Any or all classes of obligations of a CMO may be paid off sooner than expected because of an increase in the payoff speed of the pool. Changes in prepayment rates may have significant effects on the values and the volatility of the various classes and series of a CMO. Payment of interest or principal on some classes or series of a CMO may be subject to contingencies or some classes or series may bear some or all of the risk of default on the underlying mortgages.
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Stripped mortgage-related securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different portions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage loans. The yield to maturity on an interest only or IO class of stripped mortgage-related securities is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets. A rapid rate of principal prepayments may have a measurable adverse effect on a Funds yield to maturity to the extent it invests in IOs. If the assets underlying the IO experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to recoup fully, or at all, its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, principal only securities or POs tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are slower than anticipated. The secondary market for stripped mortgage-related securities may be more volatile and less liquid than that for other mortgage-related securities, potentially limiting a Portfolios ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.
Municipal and Municipal-Related Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Money Market Portfolio, the Treasury Portfolios and the U.S. Government Portfolio, may invest in municipal and municipal-related securities. Municipal securities may bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest or may be zero coupon securities. Municipal securities are generally of two types: general obligations and revenue obligations. General obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuer. These securities include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, general obligation bonds and commercial paper. Revenue obligations are backed by the revenues generated from a specific project or facility and include industrial development bonds and private activity bonds. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance working capital needs of municipalities and are generally issued in anticipation of future tax revenues. Bond anticipation notes are issued in expectation of the issuer obtaining longer-term financing.
Municipal obligations are affected by economic, business or political developments. These securities may be subject to provisions of litigation, bankruptcy and other laws affecting the rights and remedies of creditors, or may become subject to future laws extending the time for payment of principal and/or interest, or limiting the rights of municipalities to levy taxes. The Portfolio may be more adversely impacted by changes in tax rates and policies than other funds. Because interest income from municipal securities is normally not subject to regular federal income taxation, the attractiveness of municipal securities in relation to other investment alternatives is affected by changes in federal income tax rates applicable to, or the continuing federal income tax-exempt status of, such interest income. Any proposed or actual changes in such rates or exempt status, therefore, can significantly affect the demand for and supply, liquidity and marketability of municipal securities. This could in turn affect a Portfolios ability to acquire and dispose of municipal securities at desirable yield and price levels. Concentration of a Portfolios investments in these municipal obligations will subject the Portfolio, to a greater extent than if such investment was not so concentrated, to the risks of adverse economic, business or political developments affecting the particular state, industry or other area of concentration. Issuers, including governmental issuers, of municipal securities may be unable to pay their obligations as they become due. Recent declines in tax revenues, and increases in liabilities, such as pension and health care liabilities, may increase the actual or perceived risk of default on such securities.
Municipal Leases
The Portfolios, except for the Money Market Portfolio, the Treasury Portfolios and the U.S. Government Portfolio, may purchase participation interests in municipal obligations, including municipal lease/purchase agreements. Municipal leases are an undivided interest in a portion of an obligation in the form of a lease or installment purchase issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment or facilities. These instruments may have fixed, floating or variable rates of interest, with remaining maturities of 13 months or less. Certain participation interests may permit a Portfolio to demand payment on not more than seven days notice, for all or any part of the funds interest, plus accrued interest.
Municipal leases frequently have special risks not normally associated with general obligation or revenue bonds. Some leases or contracts include non-appropriation clauses, which provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. To reduce these risks, the Portfolios will only purchase municipal leases subject to a non-appropriation clause when the payment of principal and accrued interest is backed by a letter of credit or guarantee of a bank.
Whether a municipal lease agreement will be considered illiquid for the purpose of a Portfolios restriction on investments in illiquid securities will be determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees.
Other Asset-Backed Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios and the U.S. Government Portfolio, may invest in asset-backed securities that are not mortgage-related. Asset-backed securities other than mortgage-related securities represent undivided fractional interests in pools of instruments, such as consumer loans, and are typically similar in structure to mortgage-related pass-through securities. Payments of
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principal and interest are passed through to holders of the securities and are typically supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, limited guarantee by another entity, or by priority to certain of the borrowers other securities. The degree of credit-enhancement, if any, varies, applying only until exhausted and generally covering only a fraction of the securitys par value.
The value of such asset-backed securities is affected by changes in the markets perception of the asset backing the security, changes in the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the instrument pool, the originator of the instruments, or the financial institution providing any credit enhancement and the expenditure of any portion of any credit enhancement. The risks of investing in asset-backed securities are ultimately dependent upon payment of the underlying instruments by the obligors, and a Fund would generally have no recourse against the obligee of the instruments in the event of default by an obligor. The underlying instruments are subject to prepayments which shorten the duration of asset-backed securities and may lower their return, in generally the same manner as described above for prepayments of pools of mortgage loans underlying mortgage-related securities.
Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities
The interest and principal payments on pre-refunded municipal securities are typically paid from the cash flow generated from an escrow fund consisting of U.S. Government securities. These payments have been pre-refunded using the escrow fund.
Purchase of Other Investment Company Shares
Each Portfolio, except for the Treasury Portfolios, may, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and exemptive rules and orders thereunder, invest in shares of other investment companies, which include funds managed by SSGA FM, which invest exclusively in money market instruments or in investment companies with investment policies and objectives which are substantially similar to the Portfolios. These investments may be made temporarily, for example, to invest uncommitted cash balances or, in limited circumstances, to assist in meeting shareholder redemptions.
Repurchase Agreements
Each Portfolio, except for the Treasury Portfolio, may enter into repurchase agreements with banks and other financial institutions, such as broker-dealers. Under a repurchase agreement, the Portfolio purchases securities from a financial institution that agrees to repurchase the securities at the Portfolios original purchase price plus interest within a specified time (normally one business day). The Portfolio will limit repurchase transactions to those member banks of the Federal Reserve System, broker-dealers and other financial institutions whose creditworthiness the Adviser considers satisfactory. Should the counterparty to a transaction fail financially, the Portfolio may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the securities, or may be prevented from realizing on the securities. Further, the amount realized upon the sale of the securities may be less than that necessary to fully compensate the Portfolio.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
The Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios, may enter into reverse repurchase agreements under the circumstances described in Investment Restrictions. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, a Portfolio sells portfolio securities to a financial institution in return for cash in an amount equal to a percentage of the portfolio securities market value and agrees to repurchase the securities at a future date at a prescribed repurchase price equal to the amount of cash originally received plus interest on such amount. A Portfolio retains the right to receive interest and principal payments with respect to the securities while it is in the possession of the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements may create investment leverage and involve the risk that the market value of securities sold by a Portfolio may decline below the price at which it is obligated to repurchase the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve a risk of default by the counterparty, which may adversely affect a Portfolios ability to reacquire the underlying securities.
Section 4(a)(2) Commercial Paper/Rule 144A Securities
Each Portfolio, except for the Treasury Portfolios, may also invest in commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act) (Section 4(a)(2) paper) or in securities that that can be offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act (Rule 144A securities). The U.S. Government Portfolio may invest in Rule 144A securities, but not Section 4(a)(2) paper.
Section 4(a)(2) paper is restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws and generally is sold to institutional investors that agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Section 4(a)(2) paper normally is resold to other institutional investors like the Portfolios through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers that make a market in Section 4(a)(2) paper. Rule 144A securities generally must be sold only to other institutional investors.
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Section 4(a)(2) paper and Rule 144A securities will not be considered illiquid for purposes of each Funds and Portfolios percentage limitations on illiquid securities when the Adviser (pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board of Trustees or the Board)) determines that a liquid trading market exists for the securities in question. There can be no assurance that a liquid trading market will exist at any time for any particular Section 4(a)(2) paper or Rule 144A securities.
Tax Exempt Commercial Paper
The Portfolios, except for the Money Market Portfolio, the Treasury Portfolios and the U.S. Government Portfolio, may invest in tax exempt commercial paper. Tax exempt commercial paper is a short-term obligation with a stated maturity of 365 days or less. It is typically issued to finance seasonal working capital needs or as short-term financing in anticipation of longer term financing. Each instrument may be backed only by the credit of the issuer or may be backed by some form of credit enhancement, typically in the form of a guarantee by a commercial bank. Commercial paper backed by guarantees of foreign banks may involve additional risk due to the difficulty of obtaining and enforcing judgments against such banks and the generally less restrictive regulations to which such banks are subject. The Portfolios will only invest in commercial paper rated at the time of purchase not less than Prime-1 by Moodys, A-1 by S&P or F-1 by Fitch Ratings. See Appendix A for more information on the ratings of debt instruments.
Tender Option Bonds
A tender option is a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term tax exempt rates, that has been coupled with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which such institution grants the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the municipal obligations fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent at or near the commencement of such period, that would cause the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term tax exempt rate. Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, a Portfolio may buy tender option bonds if the agreement gives the Portfolio the right to tender the bond to its sponsor no less frequently than once every 397 days. The Adviser will consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the issuer of the underlying obligation, any custodian and the third party provider of the tender option. In certain instances and for certain tender option bonds, the option may be terminable in the event of a default in payment of principal or interest on the underlying municipal obligation and for other reasons.
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios, may invest in Inflation-Protection Securities (IPSs), a type of inflation-indexed Treasury security. IPSs typically provide for semiannual payments of interest and a payment of principal at maturity. In general, each payment will be adjusted to take into account any inflation or deflation that occurs between the issue date of the security and the payment date based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
Each semiannual payment of interest will be determined by multiplying a single fixed rate of interest by the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the security for the date of the interest payment. Thus, although the interest rate will be fixed, the amount of each interest payment will vary with changes in the principal of the security as adjusted for inflation and deflation.
IPSs also provide for an additional payment (a minimum guarantee payment) at maturity if the securitys inflation-adjusted principal amount for the maturity date is less than the securitys principal amount at issuance. The amount of the additional payment will equal the excess of the securitys principal amount at issuance over the securitys inflation-adjusted principal amount for the maturity date.
U.S. Government Securities
Each Portfolio may purchase U.S. Government securities. With respect to U.S. Government securities, the Treasury Portfolio will invest exclusively in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury, such as U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds maturing within 397 days, and other mutual funds, subject to regulatory limitations, that invest exclusively in such obligations. The Treasury Plus Portfolio will invest only in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury (U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds) and repurchase agreements collateralized by these obligations. The types of U.S. Government obligations in which each other Portfolio may at times invest include: (1) U.S. Treasury obligations and (2) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities which are supported by any of the following: (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, (b) the right of the issuer to borrow an amount
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limited to a specific line of credit from the U.S. Treasury, (c) discretionary authority of the U.S. Government agency or instrumentality, or (d) the credit of the instrumentality (examples of agencies and instrumentalities are: Federal Land Banks, Federal Housing Administration, Federal Farm Credit Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks, General Services Administration, Maritime Administration, Tennessee Development Bank, Asian-American Development Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Federal National Mortgage Association (Fannie Mae or FNMA). No assurance can be given that in the future the U.S. Government will provide financial support to U.S. Government securities it is not obligated to support.
The Portfolios may purchase U.S. Government obligations on a forward commitment basis.
Variable Amount Master Demand Notes
The Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios, may invest in variable amount master demand notes which are unsecured obligations that are redeemable upon demand and are typically unrated. These instruments are issued pursuant to written agreements between their issuers and holders. The agreements permit the holders to increase (subject to an agreed maximum) and the holders and issuers to decrease the principal amount of the notes, and specify that the rate of interest payable on the principal fluctuates according to an agreed formula. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of these securities than on the market value of comparable fixed income obligations. Thus, investing in these securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed income securities. There may be no active secondary market with respect to a particular variable rate instrument.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios, may invest in variable and floating rate securities. Variable rate securities are instruments issued or guaranteed by entities such as (1) U.S. Government, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, (2) corporations, (3) financial institutions, (4) insurance companies or (5) trusts that have a rate of interest subject to adjustment at regular intervals. A variable rate security provides for the automatic establishment of a new interest rate on set dates. Interest rates on these securities are ordinarily tied to, and are a percentage of, a widely recognized interest rate, such as the yield on 90-day U.S. Treasury bills or the prime rate of a specified bank. These rates may change as often as twice daily. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of variable and floating rate securities than on the market value of comparable fixed income obligations. Thus, investing in variable and floating rate securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed income securities. Variable rate obligations will be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate.
When-Issued Securities
Each Portfolio may purchase securities on a when-issued basis. Delivery of and payment for these securities may take place as long as a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. The value of these securities is subject to market fluctuation during this period, and no income accrues to the Portfolio until settlement takes place. When entering into a when-issued transaction, the Portfolio will rely on the other party to consummate the transaction; if the other party fails to do so, the Portfolio may be disadvantaged. The Portfolios will not invest more than 25% of their respective net assets in when-issued securities.
Securities purchased on a when-issued basis and held by a Portfolio are subject to changes in market value based upon actual or perceived changes in the level of interest rates. Generally, the value of such securities will fluctuate inversely to changes in interest rates i.e., they will appreciate in value when interest rates decline and decrease in value when interest rates rise. Therefore, if in order to achieve higher interest income a Portfolio remains substantially fully invested at the same time that it has purchased securities on a when-issued basis, there will be a greater possibility of fluctuation in the Portfolios NAV.
Zero Coupon Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios, may invest in zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities are notes, bonds and debentures that: (1) do not pay current interest and are issued at a substantial discount from par value; (2) have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons and receipts; or (3) pay no interest until a stated date one or more years into the future. These securities also include certificates representing interests in such stripped coupons and receipts. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a greater impact on the market value of a zero coupon security than on the market value of the comparable securities that pay interest periodically during the life of the instrument. The Portfolios will not receive cash payments on a current basis from the issuer in respect of accrued original issue discount (OID), but investors will be required to accrue OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions to maintain its qualification for treatment as a regulated investment company (RIC) under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), a Fund may be required to redeem a portion of its interest in a Portfolio and a Portfolio that is taxed as a RIC may be required to sell investments, including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so.
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The Portfolios, except for the Treasury Portfolios, may invest no more than 25% of their respective total assets in stripped securities that have been stripped by their holder, typically a custodian bank or investment brokerage firm. A number of securities firms and banks have stripped the interest coupons and resold them in custodian receipt programs with different names such as Treasury Income Growth Receipts (TIGRS) and Certificates of Accrual on Treasuries (CATS). Privately-issued stripped securities such as TIGRS and CATS are not themselves guaranteed by the U.S. Government, but the future payment of principal or interest on U.S. Treasury obligations which they represent is so guaranteed.
Asset Segregation and Coverage
A Portfolio may be required to earmark or otherwise segregate liquid assets in respect of its obligations under derivatives transactions that involve contractual obligations to pay in the future, or a Portfolio may engage in other measures to cover its obligations with respect to such transactions. The amounts that are earmarked or otherwise segregated may be based on the notional value of the derivative or on the daily mark-to-market obligation under the derivatives contract and may be reduced by amounts on deposit with the applicable broker or counterparty to the derivatives transaction. In certain circumstances, a Portfolio may enter into an offsetting position rather than earmarking or segregating liquid assets. A Portfolio may modify its asset segregation and coverage policies from time to time. Although earmarking or segregating may in certain cases have the effect of limiting a Portfolios ability to engage in derivatives transactions, the extent of any such limitation will depend on a variety of factors, including the method by which the Fund determines the nature and amount of assets to be earmarked or segregated.
Fundamental Investment Restrictions
The Portfolios in which the Funds invest each have substantially the same investment restrictions as their corresponding Funds. In reviewing the description of a Funds investment restrictions below, you should assume that the investment restrictions of the corresponding Portfolio are the same in all material respects as those of the Fund.
The Trust has adopted the following restrictions applicable to the Funds, which may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, which is defined in the 1940 Act to mean the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund and (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
1. | A Fund may borrow money and issue senior securities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
2. | A Fund may make loans, including to affiliated investment companies, to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
3. | A Fund may purchase or sell commodities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
4. | A Fund may purchase, sell or hold real estate to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
5. | A Fund may underwrite securities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
For the Money Market Funds:
6. | A Fund may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Funds total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: each Fund is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing and bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit and similar instruments issued by: (i) U.S. banks, (ii) U.S. branches of foreign banks (in circumstances in which the Adviser determines that the U.S. branches of foreign banks are subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks), (iii) foreign branches of U.S. banks (in circumstances in which the Adviser determines that the Fund will have recourse to the U.S. bank for the obligations of the foreign branch), and (iv) foreign branches of foreign banks (to the extent that the Adviser determines that the foreign branches of foreign banks are subject to the same or substantially similar regulations as U.S. banks). |
With respect to investment policy on concentration (#6 above), a Money Market Fund may concentrate in bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit and similar instruments when, in the opinion of the Adviser, the yield, marketability and availability of investments meeting the Funds quality standards in the banking industry justify any additional risks associated with the concentration of the Funds assets in such industry.
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For Current Yield Fund, Conservative Income Fund and Ultra Short Bond Fund:
6. | A Fund may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Funds total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: the Fund is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) and tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing. |
For purposes of the above investment limitation number 6, in the case of a tax-exempt bond issued by a non-governmental user, where the tax-exempt bond is backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental user, then such non-governmental user would be deemed to be the sole issuer. For each Fund, all percentage limitations (except the limitation to borrowings) on investments will apply at the time of the making of an investment and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of such investment. Except for the investment restrictions expressly identified as fundamental, or to the extent designated as such in the Prospectus with respect to a Fund, the other investment policies described in this SAI or in the Prospectus are not fundamental and may be changed by approval of the Trustees without shareholder approval.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
Introduction
The policies set forth below to be followed by State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street) and SSGA FM ( collectively, the Service Providers) for the disclosure of information about the portfolio holdings of the SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, and State Street Institutional Investment Trust (each, a Trust). These disclosure policies are intended to ensure compliance by the Service Providers and the Trust with applicable regulations of the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Board of Trustees of the Trust must approve all material amendments to the policy.
General Policy
It is the policy of the Service Providers to protect the confidentiality of client holdings and prevent the selective disclosure of non-public information concerning the Trust.
Exception
No information concerning the portfolio holdings of the Trust may be disclosed to any party (including shareholders) except as provided below.
Publicly Available Information. Any party may disclose portfolio holdings information after the holdings are publicly available.
Disclosure of the complete holdings of each Fund is required to be made quarterly within 60 days of the end of the Funds fiscal quarter in the Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Fund shareholders and in the quarterly holdings report on Form N-Q (filed after the first and third fiscal quarters). These reports are available, free of charge, on the EDGAR database on the SECs website at www.sec.gov . Each Fund will also make complete portfolio holdings available generally no later than 60 calendar days after the end of such Funds fiscal quarter or subsequent to periodic portfolio holdings disclosure in the Funds filings with the SEC or on the Funds website.
For Money Market Funds: Each Fund generally will post on its website (or, in the case of a Portfolio, on the corresponding Feeder Funds website) a full list of its portfolio holdings each Friday reflecting the portfolio holdings of the fund on the immediately preceding Wednesday. Each Fund will also post a full list of its portfolio holdings on its website (or, in the case of a Portfolio, on the corresponding Funds website) no later than the fifth business day of each month, reflecting its portfolio holdings as of the last business day of the previous month. Such monthly posting shall contain such information as required by Rule 2a-7(c)(12) under the 1940 Act and remain posted on the website for not less than six months.
Information about each Funds 10 largest holdings generally is posted on the Funds website at SSGAFUNDS.com within 30 days following the end of each month.
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Press Interviews Brokers and Other Discussions
Portfolio managers and other senior officers or spokespersons of the Service Providers or the Trust may disclose or confirm the ownership of any individual portfolio holding position to reporters, brokers, shareholders, consultants or other interested persons only if such information has been previously publicly disclosed in accordance with these disclosure policies. For example, a portfolio manager discussing the Trust may indicate that he owns XYZ Company for the Trust only if the Trusts ownership of such company has previously been publicly disclosed.
Trading Desk Reports
State Street Global Advisors trading desk may periodically distribute lists of investments held by its clients (including the Trust) for general analytical research purposes. In no case may such lists identify individual clients or individual client position sizes. Furthermore, in the case of equity securities, such lists shall not show aggregate client position sizes.
Miscellaneous
Confidentiality Agreement . No non-public disclosure of the Trusts portfolio holdings will be made to any party unless such party has signed a written Confidentiality Agreement. For purposes of the disclosure policies, any Confidentiality Agreement must be in a form and substance acceptable to, and approved by, the Trusts officers.
Evaluation Service Providers. There are numerous mutual fund evaluation services (Morningstar and Lipper) and due diligence departments of broker-dealers and wirehouses that regularly analyze the portfolio holdings of mutual funds in order to monitor and report on various attributes. These services and departments then distribute the results of their analysis to the public, paid subscribers and/or in-house brokers. In order to facilitate the review of the Trust by these services and departments, the Trust may distribute (or authorize the Service Providers and the Trusts custodian or fund accountants to distribute) month-end portfolio holdings to such services and departments only if such entity has executed a confidentiality agreement.
Additional Restrictions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trusts Board of Trustees, State Street and SSGA FM may, on a case-by-case basis, impose additional restrictions on the dissemination of portfolio information beyond those found in these disclosure policies.
Waivers of Restrictions. These disclosure policies may not be waived, or exceptions made, without the consent of the Trusts officers. All waivers and exceptions involving the Trust will be disclosed to the Board of Trustees of the Trust no later than its next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting.
Disclosures Required by Law . Nothing contained herein is intended to prevent the disclosure of portfolio holdings information as may be required by applicable law. For example, SSGA FM, State Street, the Trust or any of its affiliates or service providers may file any report required by applicable law (such as Schedules 13D, 13G and 13F or Form N-MFP), respond to requests from regulators and comply with valid subpoenas.
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MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST AND STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS
The Trustees are responsible for generally overseeing the business of the Trust and State Street Master Funds (collectively, the Trusts). The following table provides information with respect to each Trustee, including those Trustees who are not considered to be interested as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the Independent Trustees), and each officer of the Trust.
NAME, ADDRESS, AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH TRUST |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE |
NUMBER OF FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS |
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INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES |
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Michael F. Holland c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1944 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Board |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 |
Chairman, Holland & Company L.L.C. (investment adviser) (1995- present). |
75 |
Director, the Holland Series Fund, Inc.; Director, The China Fund, Inc.; Director, The Taiwan Fund, Inc.; Director, Reaves Utility Income Fund, Inc.; and Director, Blackstone/GSO Loan Funds. |
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Patrick J. Riley c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1948 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Board |
Term: Indefinite Elected:1/14 |
2002 to May 2010, Associate Justice of the Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; 1985 to 2002, Partner, Riley, Burke & Donahue, L.L.P. (law firm); 1998 to Present, Independent Director, State Street Global Advisers Ireland, Ltd. (investment company); 1998 to Present, Independent Director, SSGA Liquidity plc (formerly, SSGA Cash Management Fund plc); January 2009 to Present, Independent Director, SSGA Fixed Income plc; and January 2009 to Present, Independent Director, SSGA Qualified Funds PLC. |
75 |
Board Director and Chairman, SPDR Europe 1PLC Board (2011-Present); Board Director and Chairman, SPDR Europe II, PLC (2013- Present). |
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William L. Boyan c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1937 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Valuation Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 |
President and Chief Operations Officer, John Hancock Financial Services (1959 1999). Mr. Boyan retired in 1999. Chairman Emeritus, Childrens Hospital, Boston, MA (1984 2011); Former Trustee of Old Mutual South Africa Master Trust (investments) (1995 2008); Former Chairman, Boston Plan For Excellence, Boston Public Schools (1995 2010); Member of Advisory Board of Florida Atlantic University Lifelong Learning Society. |
75 |
Former Trustee of Old Mutual South Africa Master Trust. |
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William L. Marshall c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1942 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Audit Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
April 2011 to Present, Chairman (until April 2011, Chief Executive Officer and President), Wm. L. Marshall Associates, Inc., Wm. L. Marshall Companies, Inc. and the Marshall Financial Group, Inc. (a registered investment adviser and provider of financial and related consulting services); Certified Financial Planner; Member, Financial Planners Association; 2015 to present, Board member, The Doylestown Health Foundation Board. | 75 | Director, Marshall Financial Group, Inc. | |||||
Richard D. Shirk c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1945 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
March 2001 to April 2002, Chairman (1996 to March 2001, President and Chief Executive Officer), Cerulean Companies, Inc. (holding company) (Retired); 1992 to March 2001, President and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (health insurer, managed healthcare); 1998 to December 2008, Chairman, Board Member and December 2008 to Present, Investment Committee Member, Healthcare Georgia Foundation (private foundation); September 2002 to 2012, Lead Director and Board Member, Amerigroup Corp. (managed health care); 1999 to 2013, Board Member and (since 2001) Investment Committee Member, Woodruff Arts Center; and 2003 to 2009, Trustee, Gettysburg College. | 75 | Board member, AeroCare Holdings (privately held healthcare services company) (February 2003-Present); Board member, Regenesis Biomedical (health care services) (April 2012-Present), Chairman, (January 2014 present). | |||||
Rina K. Spence c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1948 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee and Co-Chairman of the Governance Committee | Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 | President of SpenceCare International LLC (international healthcare consulting) (1999 present); Chief Executive Officer, IEmily.com (health internet company) (2000 2001); Chief Executive Officer of Consensus Pharmaceutical, Inc. (1998 1999); Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spence Center for Womens Health (1994 1998); President and CEO, Emerson Hospital (1984 1994); Trustee, Eastern Enterprise (utilities) (1988 2000); Director, Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America (1993 2009); Honorary Consul for Monaco in Boston (2015 present) | 75 |
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(1) | Mr. Ross is an interested Trustee because of his employment by SSGA Funds Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Trust. |
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NAME, ADDRESS, AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH TRUST |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS |
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OFFICERS: |
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Ellen M. Needham SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1967 |
President |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 10/12 |
President and Director, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (June 2012 present); Chief Operating Officer, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (May 2010 June 2012); Senior Managing Director, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (1992 2012) and Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (1992 present).* | |||
Ann M. Carpenter SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1966 |
Vice President and Deputy Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 10/12 Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
Chief Operating Officer, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2014 present); Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2005 present).* | |||
Chad C. Hallett SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1969 |
Deputy Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
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).* | |||
Bruce S. Rosenberg SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1961 |
Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (July 2015 present); Director, Credit Suisse (April 2008 July 2015). | |||
Sujata Upreti SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1974 |
Assistant Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (May 2015 present); Assistant Director, Cambridge Associates, LLC (July 2014 January 2015); Vice President, Bank of New York Mellon (July 2012 August 2013); Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (September 2003 July 2012). | |||
Daniel Foley SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1972 |
Assistant Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2014 present); Principal, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2007 April 2014). | |||
Trevor Swanberg SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1979 |
Code of Ethics Compliance Officer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 8/15 |
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). |
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NAME, ADDRESS, AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH TRUST |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS |
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Brian Harris State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1973 |
Chief Compliance Officer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 11/13 |
Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2016 Present); Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (June 2013 2016); Senior Vice President and Global Head of Investment Compliance, BofA Global Capital Management (September 2010 May 2013); Director of Compliance, AARP Financial Inc. (July 2008 August 2010). | |||
Joshua A. Weinberg SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1978 |
Chief Legal Officer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/15 |
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). | |||
David K. James State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, 3 rd Floor Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1970 |
Secretary |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 4/13 |
Managing Director and Managing Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2009 present); Vice President and Counsel, PNC Global Investment Servicing (US), Inc. (2006 2009). | |||
Kristin Schantz State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, 3 rd Floor Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1979 |
Assistant Secretary |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/14 |
Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2013 present); Vice President, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (2008 2013). |
* | Served in various capacities and/or with various affiliated entities during noted time period. |
The By-Laws of the Trust provide that the Trust shall indemnify each person who is or was a Trustee of the Trust against all expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceedings if the person in good faith and reasonably believes that his or her conduct was in the Trusts best interest. The Trust, at its expense, provides liability insurance for the benefit of its Trustees and officers.
Summary of Trustees Qualifications
Following is a summary of the experience, attributes and skills which qualify each Trustee to serve on the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and the State Street Master Funds.
Michael F. Holland: Mr. Holland is an experienced business executive with over 45 years of experience in the financial services industry including 20 years as a portfolio manager of another registered mutual fund; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the Trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those Trusts.
William L. Boyan: Mr. Boyan is an experienced business executive with over 43 years of experience in the insurance industry; his experience includes prior service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies and charities and an executive position with a major insurance company. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the Trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those Trusts.
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Rina K. Spence: Ms. Spence is an experienced business executive with over 35 years of experience in the health care industry; her experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies, charities and utility companies and chief executive positions for various health care companies. She has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the Trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those Trusts.
Douglas T. Williams: Mr. Williams is an experienced business executive with over 42 years of experience in the banking industry; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies and charities and senior executive positions of major bank organizations. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the Trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those Trusts.
James E. Ross: Mr. Ross is an experienced business executive with over 26 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 8 years and as President of the trusts for 9 years and possesses significant experience regarding the Trusts operations and history. Mr. Ross is also a senior executive officer of State Street Global Advisors.
William L. Marshall: Mr. Marshall is an experienced business executive with over 46 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as an advisor trustee or officer of various investment companies and charities. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 27 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Patrick J. Riley: Mr. Riley is an experienced business executive with over 40 years of experience in the legal and financial services industries; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies and Associate Justice of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 27 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Richard D. Shirk: Mr. Shirk is an experienced business executive with over 47 years of experience in the health care and insurance industries and with investment matters; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various health care companies and nonprofit organizations. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 27 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Bruce D. Taber: Mr. Taber is an experienced business executive with over 42 years of experience in the power generation, technology and engineering industries; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 24 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
References to the experience, attributes and skills of Trustees above are pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
Standing Committees
The Board of Trustees has established various committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of various matters of importance to Independent Trustees, the Trust, and the Trusts shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Currently, the Board has created an Audit Committee, Governance Committee, Valuation Committee and Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee.
The Audit Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee meets twice a year, or more often as required, in conjunction with meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Audit Committee oversees and monitors the Trusts internal accounting and control structure, its auditing function and its financial reporting process. The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting and retaining the independent accountants for the Trust. The Audit Committee is responsible for approving the audit plans, fees and other material arrangements in respect of the engagement of the independent accountants, including non-audit services performed. The Audit Committee reviews the qualifications of the independent accountants key personnel involved in the foregoing activities and monitors the independent accountants independence. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Audit Committee held four meetings.
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The Governance Committee is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the Governance Committee, including the Nominating Committee (a sub-committee of the Governance Committee), is to review and evaluate the composition and performance of the Board; make nominations for membership on the Board and committees; review the responsibilities of each committee; and review governance procedures, and compensation of Independent Trustees. The Nominating Committee will consider nominees to the Board recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Nominating Committee Charter and should be submitted in writing to the Trust, to the attention of the Trusts Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust. Shareholder recommendations must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Trust not less than sixty (60) calendar days nor more than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of the Board or shareholder meeting at which the nominee candidate would be considered for election. The Governance Committee performs an annual Board self-evaluation. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Governance Committee held two meetings.
The Valuation Committee is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The Valuation Committees primary purpose is to review the actions and recommendations of the Advisers Oversight Committee. The Trust has established procedures and guidelines for valuing portfolio securities and making fair value determinations from time to time. The Valuation Committee is responsible for overseeing the Funds valuation determinations, with the assistance of the Oversight Committee, State Street and SSGA FM. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Valuation Committee held four meetings.
The Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee (the QLCC) is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the QLCC are to receive quarterly reports from the Trusts chief compliance officer (the Chief Compliance Officer); to oversee generally the Trusts responses to regulatory inquiries; and to investigate matters referred to it by the Chief Legal Officer and make recommendations to the Board regarding the implementation of an appropriate response to evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers or the Trustees. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee held four meetings.
Leadership Structure and Risk Management Oversight
The Board has chosen to select different individuals as Co-Chairpersons of the Board of the Trust and as President of the Trust. Currently, Mr. Holland and Mr. Riley, both Independent Trustees, serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Board, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Williams serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Audit Committee, Mr. Shirk and Ms. Spence serve as Co-Chairpersons of the QLCC, Mr. Boyan and Mr. Taber serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Valuation Committee and Mr. Taber and Ms. Spence serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Governance Committee.
Mr. Ross, who is also an employee of the Adviser, serves as a Trustee of the Trust and Ellen Needham, who is also an employee of the Adviser, serves as President of the Trust. The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate, since Mr. Ross and Ms. Needham provide the Board with insight regarding the Trusts day-to-day management, while Mr. Holland and Mr. Riley provide an independent perspective on the Trusts overall operation and Mr. Marshall and Mr. Williams provide a specialized perspective on audit matters.
The Board has delegated management of the Trust to service providers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of risks applicable to the Trust. The Board oversees risk management for the Trust in several ways. The Board receives regular reports from both the Chief Compliance Officer and administrator for the Trust, detailing the results of the Trusts compliance with its Board-adopted policies and procedures, the investment policies and limitations of the Portfolios, and applicable provisions of the federal securities laws and the Code. As needed, the Adviser discusses management issues regarding the Trust with the Board, soliciting the Boards input on many aspects of management, including potential risks to the Funds. The Boards Audit Committee also receives reports on various aspects of risk that might affect the Trust and offers advice to management, as appropriate. The Trustees also meet in executive session with the independent counsel to the Independent Trustees, the independent registered public accounting firm, counsel to the Trust, the Chief Compliance Officer and representatives of management, as needed. Through these regular reports and interactions, the Board oversees the risk management parameters for the Trust, which are effected on a day-to-day basis by service providers to the Trust.
Trustee Ownership of Securities of the Trust, Adviser and Distributor
As of December 31, 2015 none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members had any ownership of securities of the Adviser or State Street Global Markets, LLC (SSGM), the Trusts distributor, or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or SSGM.
23
The following table sets forth information describing the dollar range of the Trusts equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee as of December 31, 2015.
Name of Independent Trustee |
Dollar Range Of Equity Securities In The Funds |
Aggregate Dollar Range
Of Equity Securities In All Registered Investment Companies Overseen By Trustees In Family of Investment Companies |
||
William L. Boyan |
None | None | ||
Michael F. Holland |
None | None | ||
William L. Marshall |
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Patrick J. Riley |
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Richard D. Shirk |
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Rina K. Spence |
None | None | ||
Bruce D. Taber |
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Douglas T. Williams |
None | None | ||
Name of Interested Trustee |
||||
James E. Ross |
None | Over $100,000 |
Trustee Compensation
Each Independent Trustee receives for his or her services to the State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust and SSGA Funds, a $141,500 annual base retainer in addition to $18,000 for each in-person meeting and $2,000 for each telephonic meeting from the Trust. The Trust pays a fixed allocation of $15,000 per Fund. The Co-Chairmen receive an additional $44,000 annual retainer. The Independent Trustees are reimbursed for travel and other out-of pocket expenses in connection with meeting attendance. As of the date of this annual report, the Trustees were not paid pension or retirement benefits as part of the Trusts expenses.
The Trusts officers are compensated by the Adviser and its affiliates.
The following table sets forth the total remuneration of Trustees and officers of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:
AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION FROM THE TRUST |
PENSION OR
RETIREMENT BENEFITS ACCRUED AS PART OF TRUST EXPENSES |
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL BENEFITS UPON RETIREMENT |
TOTAL
COMPENSATION FROM TRUST & FUND COMPLEX PAID TO TRUSTEES |
|||||||||||||
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE |
||||||||||||||||
William L. Boyan, Trustee |
$ | 175,788 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Michael F. Holland, Trustee |
$ | 211,387 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 266,000 | ||||||||
William L. Marshall, Trustee |
$ | 169,297 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Patrick J. Riley, Trustee |
$ | 202,548 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 266,000 | ||||||||
Richard D. Shirk, Trustee |
$ | 169,297 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Rina K. Spence, Trustee |
$ | 175,788 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Bruce D. Taber, Trustee |
$ | 169,297 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Douglas T. Williams, Trustee |
$ | 175,788 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
NAME OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
||||||||||||||||
James E. Ross, Trustee |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Gregory A. Ehret 1 |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Scott F. Powers 2 |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
1 | Mr. Ehret served as a Trustee from August 2015 until December 2015. |
2 | Mr. Powers served as a Trustee until May 2015. |
24
Codes of Ethics
The Trust, the Adviser and State Street Global Markets, LLC (the SSGM or the Distributor) have each adopted a code of ethics (together, the Codes 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 Funds (which may also be held by persons subject to the Codes of Ethics). The Codes of Ethics permit personnel, subject to the Codes of Ethics and their provisions, to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Trust, Adviser, State Street or SSGM.
The Trust has adopted proxy voting procedures pursuant to which the Trust delegates the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Portfolios to the Adviser as part of the Advisers general management of the Portfolios, subject to the Boards continuing oversight. A copy of the Trusts proxy voting procedures is located in Appendix B and a copy of the Advisers proxy voting procedures is located in Appendix C.
Shareholders may receive information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 (i) by calling (877) 521-4083 or (ii) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov .
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of April 1, 2016, the Trustees and officers of the Trust owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the shares of each class (if applicable) of each Fund.
Persons or organizations owning 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund may be presumed to control (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) a Fund. As a result, these persons or organizations could have the ability to approve or reject those matters submitted to the shareholders of such Fund for their approval. As of April 1, 2016, to the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons held of record or beneficially through one or more accounts 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund.
25
Name and Address |
Percentage | |||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund Premier Class |
||||
State Street Bank and Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients |
||||
State Street Cash Sweep Support |
||||
Attn: Cash Sweep Sup- Rick Letham |
||||
1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 |
||||
Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
64.72 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund Class M |
||||
State Street Bank and Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients State Street Cash Sweep Support Attn: Cash Sweep Sup- Rick Letham 1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
100.00 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund - Investment Class |
||||
Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust |
||||
Attn: FCG 124 |
||||
200 Clarendon Street |
||||
Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
76.97 | % | ||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Investment Class |
||||
Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust |
||||
Attn: FCG 124 |
||||
200 Clarendon Street |
||||
Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
80.01 | % | ||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Premier Class |
||||
State Street Bank and Trust |
||||
FBO Cash Sweep Clients |
||||
Attn: Cash Sweep Support- Rick Letham |
||||
1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 |
||||
Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
65.58 | % | ||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Class G |
||||
State Street Bank and Trust |
||||
FBO Cash Sweep Clients |
||||
Attn: Cash Sweep Support- Rick Letham |
||||
1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 |
||||
Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
100.00 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund Premier Class |
||||
State Street Bank and Trust FBO |
||||
Cash Sweep Clients |
||||
Attn: Cash Sweep Support- Rick Letham |
||||
1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 |
||||
Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
82.98 | % |
26
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund Investment Class |
||||
Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust |
||||
Attn: FCG 124 |
||||
200 Clarendon Street |
||||
Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
91.30 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Premier Class |
||||
State Street Bank & Trust FBO |
||||
Cash Sweep Clients |
||||
Attn: Cash Sweep Support Rick Letham |
||||
1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 |
||||
Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
82.46 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Investment Class |
||||
Saturn & Co C/O State Street Bank & Trust |
||||
Attn: FCG 124 |
||||
200 Clarendon Street |
||||
Boston, MA 02116-5021 |
59.13 | % |
As of April 1, 2016, to the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons held of record or beneficially through one or more accounts 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of the Funds.
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund - Investment Class |
||||
Neuberger Berman Management LLC FBO Neuberger Berman Funds Shareholders Attn Owen F. McEntee Jr. 605 Third Avenue Mail Drop 2-7 New York, NY 10158 |
12.22 | % |
27
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund - Investment Class |
||||
Highland Capital Management Fund |
||||
Advisers LP FBO Highlands Class A Shareholders |
||||
Attn Travis Rachal |
||||
200 Crescent Ct. Ste 700 |
||||
Dallas, TX 75201-2116 |
7.07 | % | ||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Investment Class |
||||
TyphoonBass & Co. |
||||
1200 Crown Colony Dr |
||||
Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
9.02 | % | ||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund Investment Class |
||||
State Street Bank & Trust FBO Cash Sweep Clients |
||||
Attn: Cash Sweep Support Rick Letham |
||||
1200 Crown Colony Drive CC13 |
||||
Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
7.07 | % | ||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund - Premier Class |
||||
California Public Employees Retirement System |
||||
(Securities Finance Trust Co as Agent) |
||||
Attn Phil Picariello |
||||
175 Federal Street, Floor 11 |
||||
Boston, MA 02110-2221 |
6.99 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund Investment Class |
||||
TyphoonBass & Co. |
||||
1200 Crown Colony Dr |
||||
Quincy, MA 02169-0938 |
7.48 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund-Premier Class |
||||
JP Morgan Clearing Corp. Attn: Denise Dilorenzo 3 Chase Metrotech Center Brooklyn, NY 11245-0001 |
13.03 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund Investment Class |
||||
DST as Agent for Van Eck |
||||
Universal Account |
||||
FBO Van Eck Money Fund |
||||
Attn: Bruce J. Smith |
||||
666 3rd Avenue 8th floor |
||||
New York, NY 10017-4033 |
19.91 | % | ||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund-Investment Class |
||||
Neuberger Berman Management LLC FBO |
||||
Neuberger Berman Funds Shareholders |
||||
Attn Owen F. McEntee Jr. |
||||
605 Third Avenue Mail Drop 2-7 |
||||
New York, NY 10158 |
18.42 | % |
28
Investment Advisory Agreement
The Adviser is responsible for the investment management of the Funds pursuant to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 17, 2015 as amended from time to time (the Advisory Agreement), by and between the Adviser and the Trust. The Adviser and State Street are wholly-owned subsidiaries of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company.
The Advisory Agreement will continue from year to year provided that a majority of the Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees or a majority of the shareholders of the Trust approve its continuance. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser or the Trust without penalty upon sixty days notice and will terminate automatically upon its assignment. The Adviser and its affiliates may have deposit, loan and other commercial banking relationships with the issuers of obligations that may be purchased on behalf of the Funds, including outstanding loans to such issuers that could be repaid in whole or in part with the proceeds of securities so purchased. Such affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in such obligations and are among the leading dealers of various types of such obligations. The Adviser has informed the Funds that, in making its investment decisions, it will not obtain or use material non-public information in its possession or in the possession of any of its affiliates. In making investment recommendations for a Fund, the Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether an issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by the Fund is a customer of the Adviser, its parent or its subsidiaries or affiliates and, in dealing with its customers, the Adviser, its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of such customers were held by any Fund managed by the Adviser or any such affiliate.
In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable for a Fund as well as for one or more of the Advisers other clients. Investment decisions for the Trust and for the Advisers other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling that same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. The Trust recognizes that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as a Fund is concerned. However, it is believed that the ability of each Fund to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Funds.
ILR Fund, U.S. Government Fund, Treasury Fund and Treasury Plus Fund : Each Fund currently invests all of its assets in a related Portfolio that has the same investment objectives and substantially the same investment policies as the relevant Fund. As long as a Fund remains completely invested in its related Portfolio (or any other investment company), the Adviser is not entitled to receive any investment advisory fee with respect to the Fund. A Fund may withdraw its investment from the related Portfolio at any time. The Trust has retained the Adviser as investment adviser to manage a Funds assets in the event that the Fund withdraws its investment from its related Portfolio.
The Adviser is also the investment adviser to each of the related Portfolios pursuant to an investment advisory agreement (the Portfolio Advisory Agreement) between the Adviser and State Street Master Funds, on behalf of the Portfolios. The Adviser receives an investment advisory fee with respect to each related Portfolio. The Portfolio Advisory Agreement is the same in all material respects as the Advisory Agreement between the Trust on behalf of the Funds and the Adviser. Each Fund that invests in a related Portfolio bears a proportionate part of the management fees paid by the Portfolio (based on the percentage of the Portfolios assets attributable to the Fund).
For the services provided under the Advisory Agreement and the Portfolio Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser a fee at an annual rate set forth below of the Funds average daily net assets.
Fund |
Fee Rate | |||
ILR Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
U.S. Government Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
Treasury Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
Treasury Plus Fund |
0.05 | % |
60 Day Fund, Cash Reserves Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Current Yield Fund, Institutional Liquid Assets Fund and Ultra Short Bond Fund: Each Fund expects to invest substantially all of its assets in a related Portfolio, which has the same
29
investment objectives and substantially similar investment policies as the relevant Fund. The Portfolios pay no investment advisory fees to SSGA FM. For the services provided under the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser a fee at an annual rate set forth below of the Funds average daily net assets.
Fund |
Fee Rate | |||
60 Day Fund |
0.08 | % | ||
Cash Reserves Fund |
0.10 | % | ||
Conservative Income Fund |
0.10 | % | ||
Current Yield Fund |
0.08 | % | ||
Institutional Liquid Assets Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
Ultra Short Bond Fund |
0.25 | % |
The advisory fees paid by the 60 Day Fund, the Cash Reserves Fund, the Liquid Assets Fund, the Current Yield Fund, the Conservative Income Fund, and Ultra Short Bond Fund to SSGA FM for the last three fiscal years have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
The Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees to avoid negative yield (the Voluntary Reduction), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The ILR Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2015, SSGA FM voluntarily waived fees of $0 on the ILR Fund.
The Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees to avoid negative yield (the Voluntary Reduction) or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The U.S. Government Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2015, SSGA FM voluntarily waived fees of $5,410,389 on the U.S. Government Fund.
The Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees of the Premier Class and Investment Class of the Treasury Fund to avoid negative yield (the Voluntary Reduction), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The Treasury Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2015, SSGA FM voluntarily waived fees of $8,650,278 on the Treasury Fund.
The Adviser may reimburse expenses or waive fees to avoid negative yield (the Voluntary Reduction), or a yield below a specified level. Any such waiver or reimbursement would be voluntary and may be revised or cancelled at any time without notice. The Treasury Plus Fund has agreed, subject to certain limitations, to reimburse the Adviser for the full dollar amount of any Voluntary Reduction incurred after October 1, 2013. The Adviser may, in its sole discretion, irrevocably waive receipt of any or all reimbursement amounts due from the Fund, without limitation. For the year ended December 31, 2015, SSGA FM voluntarily waived fees of $1,116,105 on the Treasury Plus Fund.
Administrator
SSGA FM serves as the administrator for the Funds pursuant to an Amended and Restated Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015. Under the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, SSGA FM is obligated to continuously provide business management services to the Trust and each Fund and will generally, subject to the general oversight of the Trustees and except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, manage all of the business and affairs of the Trust. The nature and amount of services provided by SSGA FM under the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement may vary as between classes of shares of a Fund, and a Fund may pay fees to SSGA FM under that Agreement at different rates in respect of its different share classes.
30
Except as noted below, as consideration for SSGA FMs services as administrator to each Fund, SSGA FM receives an annual fee of 0.05% of the average daily net assets of such Fund, accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month.
The administration fees paid to SSGA FM for the last three fiscal years are set forth in the table below.
Fund |
Fiscal year
December 31,
|
Fiscal year ended
December 31,
|
Fiscal year ended
December 31,
|
|||||||||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
$ | 15,988,382 | $ | 19,299,485 | $ | 19,976,334 | ||||||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
$ | 4,003,329 | $ | 4,976,203 | $ | 6,042,905 | ||||||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
$ | 6,095,038 | $ | 5,276,688 | $ | 5,272,626 | ||||||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
$ | 1,046,161 | $ | 1,308,537 | $ | 890,340 |
The administration fees paid by the 60 Day Fund, the Cash Reserves Fund, the Liquid Assets Fund, the Current Yield Fund, the Conservative Income Fund, and Ultra Short Bond Fund to SSGA FM for the last three fiscal years have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
Sub-Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent
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 the Funds. 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 State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.
State Street serves as custodian and fund accountant for the Funds pursuant to a Custody Agreement and holds the Funds assets.
Sub-Administration, Custody and Fund Accounting Fees (Effective June 1, 2015) :
Fee for Custody and Fund Accounting |
$12,000 per Feeder Fund per year for the first two feeders $9,600 per Feeder Fund per year for each additional feeder fund |
|
Fee for Sub-administration | $25,000 per Feeder Fund per year |
31
The sub-administration and custodian fees paid to State Street for the last three fiscal years are set forth in the table below.
Fund |
Fiscal year
December 31,
|
Fiscal year ended
December 31,
|
Fiscal year ended
December 31,
|
|||||||||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
$ | 42,239 | $ | 42,038 | $ | 43,111 | ||||||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
$ | 42,069 | $ | 41,964 | $ | 42,946 | ||||||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
$ | 42,069 | $ | 41,967 | $ | 43,092 | ||||||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
$ | 42,108 | $ | 41,963 | $ | 42,935 |
The sub-administration and custodian fees paid by the 60 Day Fund, the Cash Reserves Fund, the Liquid Assets Fund, the Current Yield Fund, the Conservative Income Fund, and Ultra Short Bond Fund to SSGA FM for the last three fiscal years have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
Prior to June 1, 2015, as consideration for State Streets services as sub-administrator, custodian and accounting agent for each Fund except the 60 Day Fund, Cash Reserves Fund, Liquid Assets Fund, Current Yield Fund, Conservative Income Fund and Ultra Short Bond Fund, State Street received annual fees, accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month, pursuant to the following schedule:
Annual Fee Schedule
$25,000 for Sub-Administration Services (payable by SSGA FM with respect to each Fund)
$12,600 for Custody and Accounting Services (payable by each Fund)
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (BFDS) serves as the Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent for the Funds. BFDS is a joint venture of State Street Corporation and DST Systems, Inc. BFDS is paid for the following annual account services and activities including but limited to: establishment and maintenance of each shareholders account; closing an account; acceptance and processing of trade orders; preparation; and transmission of payments for dividends and distributions declared by each Fund; customer service support including receipt of correspondence and responding to shareholder and financial intermediary inquiries; investigation services; IRA custodial services; tax related support; sales charge and 12b-1 payment processing; and charges related to compliance and regulatory services.
Portfolio fees are allocated to each Fund based on the average net asset value of each Fund and are billable on a monthly basis at the rate of 1/12 of the annual fee. BFDS is reimbursed by each Fund for supplying certain out-of-pocket expenses including but not limited to: Anti-Money Laundering (AML) Delegations, omnibus transparency (market timing) services; confirmation statements and periodic investor statements, fulfillment, banking fees, postage, forms, audio response, telephone, records retention, customized programming/enhancements, reports, transcripts, and expenses incurred at the specific direction of the Fund. BFDSs principal business address is 2000 Crown Colony Drive; Quincy, MA 02169.
The transfer agency fees paid to BFDS for the last three fiscal years are set forth in the table below.
Fund |
Fiscal year ended
December 31, 2013 |
Fiscal year ended
December 31, 2014 |
Fiscal year ended
December 31, 2015 |
|||||||||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
$ | 72,521 | $ | 201,489 | $ | 59,546 | ||||||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
$ | 26,921 | $ | 53,579 | $ | 70,868 | ||||||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
$ | 22,478 | $ | 28,600 | $ | 47,663 | ||||||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
$ | 72,521 | $ | 201,489 | $ | 52,166 |
32
The transfer agency fees paid by the 60 Day Fund, the Cash Reserves Fund, the Liquid Assets Fund, the Current Yield Fund, the Conservative Income Fund, and Ultra Short Bond Fund to SSGA FM for the last three fiscal years have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
Distributor
SSGM serves as the distributor of the Funds pursuant to the Distribution Agreement by and between the Distributor and the Trust. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Funds pay the Distributor fees under the Rule 12b-1 Plan in effect for the Funds. For a description of the fees paid to the Distributor under the Rule 12b-1 Plan, see Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plans, below. SSGM is a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation. SSGMs mailing address is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.
33
Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plans
To compensate SSGM for the services it provides and for the expenses it bears in connection with the distribution of shares of the Funds, each Fund may make payments (Rule 12b-1 Fees) from the assets attributable to certain classes of its shares to SSGM under a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the Distribution Plan). The Distribution Plan is a compensation plan that provides for payments at annual rates (based on average daily net assets) set out below. Because Rule 12b-1 Fees are paid on an ongoing basis, they will increase the cost of your investment and may cost you more than paying other types of sales loads. It is expected that SSGM will pay substantially all of the amounts it receives under the Plan to intermediaries involved in the sale of shares of the Funds, including affiliates of the Adviser. The principal business address of SSGM is One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111.
The Distribution Plan will continue in effect with respect to a class of shares of a Fund only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of both a majority of the Board of Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Plan or in any agreements related thereto (the Qualified Distribution Plan Trustees). The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of a Funds permitted expenses thereunder without the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of the affected share class and may not be materially amended in any case without a vote of the majority of both the Trustees and the Qualified Distribution Plan Trustees. As of December 31, 2015 none of the Independent Trustees had a direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Rule 12b-1 Plan. The Rule 12b-1 Plan calls for payments at an annual rate (based on each Funds average net assets) as follows:
Premier Class* |
0.00 | % | ||
Service Class** |
0.00 | % | ||
Investment Class |
0.10 | % | ||
Institutional Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Investor Class |
0.00 | % | ||
Administration Class |
0.05 | % | ||
Class M |
0.00 | % | ||
Class G |
0.00 | % |
* | All Funds except for Ultra Short Bond Fund |
** | ILR Fund, U.S. Government Fund, Treasury Fund and Treasury Plus Fund only. |
| ILR Fund only. |
| U.S. Government Fund only. |
The total Rule 12b-1 fees paid to SSGM and other intermediaries for the last fiscal year are reflected in the chart below.
Fund |
SSGM
Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015 |
Other
Intermediaries Fiscal Year Ended December 31, 2015 |
||||||
ILR Fund: |
||||||||
Investment Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 480,258 | ||||
Administration Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
U.S. Government Fund: |
||||||||
Investment Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
Administration Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
Treasury Fund: |
||||||||
Investment Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
Administration Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
Treasury Plus Fund: |
||||||||
Investment Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||
Administration Class |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 |
Pursuant to a Shareholder Servicing Plan, the Trust may pay a shareholder servicing fee for the provision of personal services to and the maintenance of shareholder accounts of investors in the Investment Class, Service Class, Administration Class, Institutional Class
34
and Investor Class shares of the Funds. Shareholder servicing fees paid for the last fiscal year included amounts paid to State Street Bank and Trust Company, Wealth Management Services (WMS), an affiliate of the Adviser. WMS is among the financial intermediaries which may receive fees from the Rule 12b-1 Plan.
The Shareholder Servicing Plan calls for payments by the Trust at an annual rate (based on average net assets) as follows:
Service Class* | Investment Class | Institutional Class |
Administration
Class |
Investor
Class |
Premier | |||||||||||||||||
0.05 | % | 0.25 | % | 0.03 | % | 0.20 | % | 0.08 | % | None |
* | ILR Fund, U.S. Government Fund, Treasury Fund and Treasury Plus Fund only. |
No payments under the Shareholder Servicing Plan will be made for Premier Class shares, Class M shares or Class G shares.
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
Financial intermediaries are firms that, for compensation, sell shares of mutual funds, including the Funds, and/or provide certain administrative and account maintenance services to mutual fund shareholders. Financial intermediaries may include, among others, brokers, financial planners or advisors, banks, and insurance companies. In some cases, a financial intermediary may hold its clients Fund shares in nominee or street name. Shareholder services provided by a financial intermediary may (though they will not necessarily) include, among other things: processing and mailing trade confirmations, periodic statements, prospectuses, annual reports, semi-annual reports, shareholder notices, and other SEC-required communications; capturing and processing tax data; issuing and mailing dividend checks to shareholders who have selected cash distributions; preparing record date shareholder lists for proxy solicitations; collecting and posting distributions to shareholder accounts; and establishing and maintaining systematic withdrawals and automated investment plans and shareholder account registrations.
Some portion of SSGMs payments to financial intermediaries will be made out of amounts received by SSGM under the Funds Distribution Plans. In addition, the Funds may reimburse SSGM for payments SSGM makes to financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping, shareholder servicing, sub-transfer agency, administrative and/or account maintenance services (collectively, servicing). The amount of the reimbursement for servicing compensation and the manner in which it is calculated are reviewed by the Trustees periodically.
The compensation paid by SSGM to a financial intermediary may be paid continually over time, during the period when the intermediarys clients hold investments in the Funds. The compensation to financial intermediaries may include networking fees and account-based fees. The amount of continuing compensation paid by SSGM to different financial intermediaries varies. In the case of most financial intermediaries, compensation for servicing in excess of any amount covered by payments under a Distribution Plan is generally paid at an annual rate of 0.10% 0.20% of the aggregate average daily net asset value of Fund shares held by that financial intermediarys customers, although in some cases the compensation may be paid at higher annual rates (which may, but will not necessarily, reflect enhanced or additional services provided by the financial intermediary).
SSGM and its affiliates (including SSGA FM), at their own expense and out of their own assets, may also provide compensation to financial intermediaries in connection with sales of the Funds shares or servicing of shareholders or shareholder accounts by financial intermediaries. Such compensation may include, but is not limited to, ongoing payments, financial assistance to financial intermediaries in connection with conferences, sales, or training programs for their employees, seminars for the public, advertising or sales campaigns, or other financial intermediary-sponsored special events. In some instances, this compensation may be made available only to certain financial intermediaries whose representatives have sold or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares. Financial intermediaries may not use sales of the Funds shares to qualify for this compensation to the extent prohibited by the laws or rules of any state or any self-regulatory agency, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA). The level of payments made to a financial intermediary in any given year will vary and, in the case of most financial intermediaries, will not exceed 0.05% of the value of assets attributable to the financial intermediary invested in shares of funds in the SSGA FM-fund complex. In certain cases, the payments described in the preceding sentence are subject to minimum payment levels.
If payments to financial intermediaries by the distributor or adviser for a particular mutual fund complex exceed payments by other mutual fund complexes, your financial advisor and the financial intermediary employing him or her may have an incentive to recommend that fund complex over others. Please speak with your financial advisor to learn more about the total amounts paid to your financial advisor and his or her firm by SSGM and its affiliates, and by sponsors of other mutual funds he or she may recommend to you. You should also consult disclosures made by your financial intermediary at the time of purchase.
35
Because the Funds pay distribution, service and other fees for the sale of their shares and for services provided to shareholders out of the Funds assets on an ongoing basis, over time those fees will increase the cost of an investment in a Fund.
A Fund may pay distribution fees, service fees and other amounts described above at a time when shares of the Fund are not being actively promoted to new investors generally, or when shares of that Fund are unavailable for purchase.
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 the Funds have been informed by SSGM that the following expenditures were made using the amounts each Fund paid under its Distribution Plan:
Fund |
Advertising | Printing |
Compensation to
Dealers |
Compensation to
Sales Personnel |
Interest,
Carrying or Other Financing Charges |
Other* | ||||||||||||||||||
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
* | Includes such items as compensation for travel, conferences and seminars for staff, subscriptions, office charges and professional fees. Rule 12b-1 fees paid by the State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund, State Street Cash Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund, State Street Current Yield Fund, State Street Conservative Income Fund, and State Street Ultra Short Bond Fund have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015. |
Set forth below is a list of those financial intermediaries to which SSGM (and its affiliates) expects, as of March 31, 2016, to pay compensation in the manner described in this Payments to Financial Intermediaries section.
| Highland Capital Management | | Institutional Cash Distributors LLC | |||
| Van Eck | | JP Morgan | |||
| Neuberger Berman | | Morgan Stanley LLC & Co | |||
| Wealth Management Services | | SG AMERICAS SECURITIES LLC | |||
| Bancorp | | Sungard | |||
| Bank of New York Mellon | | Union Bank | |||
| Brown Brothers | | Goldman Sachs & Co | |||
| Chicago Mercantile Exchange | | Common Fund | |||
| US Bank, NA | | My Treasury |
Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Ropes & Gray LLP serves as counsel to the Trust. The principal business address of Ropes & Gray LLP is 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199. Joseph P. Barri LLC, located at 259 Robbins Street, Milton, Massachusetts 02186, serves as independent counsel to the Independent Trustees.
Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust and provides (i) audit services and (ii) tax services. In connection with the audit of the 2015 financial statements, the Trust entered into an engagement agreement with Ernst & Young LLP that sets forth the terms of Ernst & Young LLPs audit engagement. The principal business address of Ernst & Young LLP is 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
36
The following persons serve as the portfolio managers of the Current Yield Fund, the Conservative Income Fund and the Ultra Short Bond Fund as of the date of this SAI. The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by each individual and assets under management in those accounts as of December 31, 2015:
Portfolio Manager |
Fund |
Registered
Investment Company Accounts* |
Assets
Managed ($ billions) |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicle Accounts* |
Assets
Managed ($billions) |
Other
Accounts* |
Assets
Managed ($ billions) |
Total
Assets Managed ($ billions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
Jeff St. Peters |
Current Yield Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Ultra Short Bond Fund | 19 | 127.04 | 25 | 98.42 | 104 | 117.71 | 343.17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Todd Bean |
Current Yield Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Ultra Short Bond Fund | 19 | 127.04 | 25 | 98.42 | 104 | 117.71 | 343.17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sean Lussier |
Current Yield Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Ultra Short Bond Fund | 19 | 127.04 | 25 | 98.42 | 104 | 117.71 | 343.17 |
As indicated in the tables above, portfolio managers at the Adviser may manage numerous accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include registered investment companies (which include exchange-traded funds), other types of pooled accounts ( e.g. , collective investment funds), and separate accounts (i.e., accounts managed on behalf of individuals or public or private institutions). Portfolio managers make investment decisions for each account based on the investment objectives and policies and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that portfolio. The portfolio managers do not beneficially own any shares of any Fund as of December 31, 2015.
When a portfolio manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts may arise out of: (a) the portfolio managers execution of different investment strategies for various accounts; or (b) the allocation of resources or investment opportunities.
A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers responsibility for multiple accounts with similar investment guidelines. Under these circumstances, a potential investment may be suitable for more than one of the portfolio managers accounts, but the quantity of the investment available for purchase is less than the aggregate amount the accounts would ideally devote to the opportunity. Similar conflicts may arise when multiple accounts seek to dispose of the same investment. The portfolio manager may also manage accounts whose objectives and policies differ from that of the respective 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 manager is responsible for accounts that have different advisory fees. The difference in fees could create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another, for example, in terms of access to investment opportunities. This conflict may be heightened if an account is subject to a performance-based fee. Another potential conflict may arise when the portfolio manager has an investment in one or more accounts that participates in transactions with other accounts. His or her investment(s) may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, portfolio managers within the Adviser are normally responsible for all accounts within a certain
37
investment discipline and do not, absent special circumstances, differentiate among the various accounts when allocating resources. Additionally, the Adviser and its advisory affiliates have processes and procedures for allocating investment opportunities among portfolios that are designed to be fair and equitable.
The compensation of SSGA FMs investment professionals is based on a number of factors, including external benchmarking data and market trends, State Street Corporation performance, SSGA performance, and individual performance. Each year State Street Corporations Global Human Resources department participates in compensation surveys in order to provide SSGA with critical, market-based compensation information that helps support individual pay decisions. Additionally, subject to State Street Corporation and SSGA business results, State Street Corporation allocates an incentive pool to SSGA to reward its employees. Because the size of the incentive pool is based on the firms overall profitability and performance against risk-related goals, each staff member is motivated to contribute both as an individual and as a team member.
The incentive pool is allocated to the various functions within SSGA. The discretionary determination of the allocation amounts to business units is influenced by market-based compensation data, as well as the overall performance of the group. Individual compensation decisions are made by the employees manager, in conjunction with the senior management of the employees business unit. These decisions are based on the performance of the employee and, as mentioned above, on the performance of the firm and business unit.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
Each Fund invests all of its investable assets in a corresponding Portfolio and therefore does not directly incur transactional costs for purchases and sales of portfolio investments. The Funds purchase and redeem shares of the corresponding Portfolio each day depending on the number of shares of such Fund purchased or redeemed by investors on that day. Shares of the Portfolios are available for purchase by the Funds at their NAV without any sales charges, transaction fees, or brokerage commissions being charged.
All portfolio transactions are placed on behalf of the Portfolios by the Adviser. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. Ordinarily commissions are not charged on over the counter orders (including, for example, debt securities and money market investments) because a Portfolio pays a spread which is included in the cost of the security, and is the difference between the dealers cost and the cost to a Portfolio. When a Portfolio executes an over the counter order with an electronic communications network, an alternative trading system or a non-market maker, a commission is charged because there is no spread on the trade. Securities may be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees. The Portfolios normally do not pay a stated brokerage commission on transactions.
Each Portfolios investment advisory agreement authorizes the Adviser to place, in the name of the Portfolio, orders for the execution of the securities transactions in which the Portfolio is authorized to invest, provided the Adviser, and as applicable, the sub-adviser seeks the best overall terms for the transaction. In selecting brokers or dealers (including affiliates of the Adviser, and as applicable, the sub-adviser), the Adviser, and as applicable, the sub-adviser chooses the broker-dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable execution (the most favorable cost or net proceeds reasonably obtainable under the circumstances). The full range of brokerage services applicable to a particular transaction may be considered when making this judgment, which may include, but is not limited to: liquidity, price, commission, timing, aggregated trades, capable floor brokers or traders, competent block trading coverage, ability to position, capital strength and stability, reliable and accurate communications and settlement processing, use of automation, knowledge of other buyers or sellers, arbitrage skills, administrative ability, brokerage and research services, underwriting, and provision of information on a particular security or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary depending on the nature of the transaction, the market in which it is executed, and the extent to which it is possible to select from among multiple broker-dealers. The Adviser, and as applicable, the sub-adviser does not currently use any Portfolios assets for soft-dollar arrangements. The Adviser, and as applicable, the sub-adviser does not presently participate in any soft dollar arrangements. It may aggregate trades with clients of State Street Global Advisors whose commission dollars are used to generate soft dollar credits for State Street Global Advisors. Although the Advisers clients commissions are not used for soft dollars, the Adviser and State Street Global Advisors clients may benefit from the soft dollar products/services received by State Street Global Advisors.
The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities.
38
DECLARATION OF TRUST, CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER INFORMATION
Capitalization
Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of each Fund. Upon liquidation or dissolution of a Fund, investors are entitled to share pro rata in the Funds net assets available for distribution to its investors. Investments in a Fund have no preference, preemptive, conversion or similar rights, except as determined by the Trustees or as set forth in the Bylaws, and are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below.
Declarations of Trust
The Declarations of Trust of the Trust and the Master Trust each provide that a Trust may redeem shares of a Fund at the redemption price that would apply if the share redemption were initiated by a shareholder. It is the policy of each Trust that, except upon such conditions as may from time to time be set forth in the then current prospectus of a Fund or to facilitate a Trusts or a Funds compliance with applicable law or regulation, a Trust would not initiate a redemption of shares unless it were to determine that failing to do so may have a substantial adverse consequence for a Fund or the Trust.
Each Trusts Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of a Trust will be deemed independent and disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding. It is the policy of each Trust that it will not assert that provision to preclude a shareholder from claiming that a Trustee is not independent or disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding; provided, however, that the foregoing policy will not prevent the Trusts from asserting applicable law (including Section 2B of Chapter 182 of the Massachusetts General Laws) to preclude a shareholder from claiming that a Trustee is not independent or disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding.
A Trust will not deviate from the foregoing policies in a manner that adversely affects the rights of shareholders of a Fund without the approval of a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such Fund.
Voting
Each shareholder is entitled to a vote in proportion to the number of Fund shares it owns. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees, and shareholders holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding shares in the Trust may elect all of the Trustees if they choose to do so. The Trust is not required and has no current intention to hold annual meetings of shareholders but the Trust will hold special meetings of shareholders when in the judgment of the Trustees it is necessary or desirable to submit matters for a shareholder vote.
39
Massachusetts Business Trust
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders in a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and provides for indemnification out of the property of the applicable series of the Trust for any loss to which the shareholder may become subject by reason of being or having been a shareholder of that series and for reimbursement of the shareholder for all expense arising from such liability. Thus the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability should be limited to circumstances in which the series would be unable to meet its obligations.
Pricing of shares of the Funds does not occur on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays. The NYSE is open for trading every weekday except for: (a) the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.s Birthday, Washingtons Birthday (the third Monday in February), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas; and (b) the preceding Friday or the subsequent Monday when one of the calendar-determined holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. Purchases and withdrawals will be effected at the time of determination of NAV next following the receipt of any purchase or withdrawal order which is determined to be in good order. The Funds securities will be valued pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Trustees.
ILR Fund, U.S. Government Fund, Treasury Fund, Treasury Plus Fund and Cash Reserves Fund
Each Fund seeks to maintain a constant price per share of $1.00 for purposes of sales and redemptions of shares by using the amortized cost valuation method to value its portfolio instruments in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. There can be no assurance that the $1.00 NAV per share will be maintained. The amortized cost method involves valuing an instrument at its cost and thereafter assuming a constant amortization to maturity of any discount or premium, even though the portfolio security may increase or decrease in market value, generally in response to changes in interest rates. While this method provides certainty in valuation, it may result in periods during which value, as determined by amortized cost, is higher or lower than the price each Fund would receive if it sold the instrument.
For example, in periods of declining interest rates, the daily yield on each of the Funds shares computed by dividing the annualized daily income on the Funds portfolio by the NAV based upon the amortized cost valuation technique may tend to be higher than a similar computation made by using a method of valuation based upon market prices and estimates thereof. In periods of rising interest rates, the daily yield on each Funds shares computed the same way may tend to be lower than a similar computation made by using a method of calculation based upon market prices and estimates.
The Trustees have established procedures reasonably designed to stabilize each Funds price per share at $1.00. These procedures include: (1) the determination of the deviation from $1.00, if any, of each Funds NAV using market values; (2) periodic review by the Trustees of the amount of and the methods used to calculate the deviation; and (3) maintenance of records of such determination. The Trustees will promptly consider what action, if any, should be taken if such deviation exceeds 1/2 of one percent.
60 Day Fund and Liquid Assets Fund
Each Funds NAV per share will float. Each Fund determines its NAV per share four times each business day at 9:00am, 12:00pm, 3:00pm and 5:00pm Eastern Time (ET) except for days when the NYSE closes earlier than its regular closing time, in which event each Fund will determine its NAVs at the earlier closing time (each time when a Fund determines its NAV per share is referred to herein as a Valuation Time). Pricing does not occur on NYSE holidays. Each Fund calculates its NAV to four decimal places.
Current Yield Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Ultra Short Bond Fund
Each Fund determines its NAV per share once each business day as of the close of regular trading on the NYSE. Pricing does not occur on NYSE holidays. The NAV per share of a Fund is based on the market value of the investments held in the Fund. The NAV of each class of each Funds shares is calculated by dividing the value of the assets of the Fund attributable to that class less the liabilities of the Fund attributable to that class by the number of shares in the class outstanding. Each Fund values each security or other investment pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees. Securities or other investments may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to procedures approved by the Portfolios Board of Trustees, under certain limited circumstances. For example, fair value pricing may be used when market quotations are not readily available or reliable, such as when (i) trading for a security is restricted; or (ii) a significant event, as determined by the Adviser, that may affect the value of one or more securities or other investments held by the Fund occurs after the close of a related exchange but before the determination of the Funds
40
NAV. Attempts to determine the fair value of securities or other investments introduce an element of subjectivity to the pricing of securities or other investments. As a result, the price of a security or other investment determined through fair valuation techniques may differ from the price quoted or published by other sources and may not accurately reflect the price a Fund would have received had it sold the investment. To the extent that a Fund invests in the shares of other registered open-end investment companies that are not traded on an exchange (mutual funds), such shares are valued at their published net asset values per share as reported by the funds. The prospectuses of these funds explain the circumstances under which the funds will use fair value pricing and the effects of using fair value pricing.
The following discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Funds is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authority, as of the date of this SAI. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Funds. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular shareholders. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular situation and the possible application of foreign, state and local tax laws.
Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans or tax-advantaged arrangements. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans and arrangements and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situations.
The Funds invest substantially all of their assets in the corresponding Portfolio (which may be a series of State Street Master Funds).
In the discussion below, Portfolio refers to the corresponding Portfolio in which the relevant Fund(s) invest their assets.
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
Each Fund has elected or intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Code and intends each year to qualify and be eligible to be treated as such. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, each Fund must, among other things, (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below); (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Funds taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Funds total assets consists of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to a value not greater than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets and no more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) no more than 25% of its assets are invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, (x) in the securities (other than those of the U.S. Government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades and businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below); and (c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid generally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt income, for such year.
In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the RIC.
However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in section (a)(i) of the preceding paragraph), will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes, because they meet the passive income requirement under Code section 7704(c)(2). Further, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.
For purposes of the diversification test in (b) above, the term outstanding voting securities of such issuer will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also, for purposes of the diversification test in (b) above, the identification of the
41
issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular Portfolio investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect a Funds ability to meet the diversification test in (b) above.
If a Fund qualifies as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income or gains distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below). If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution test described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest or disposing of certain assets. If such Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or if such Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to tax at the Fund level on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net capital gains (each as defined below), would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and may be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals, provided, in both cases, the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of a Funds shares (as described below). In addition, a Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.
Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and its net tax-exempt income (if any), and may distribute its net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to any loss carryforwards). Any taxable income retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate rates. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but is permitted to designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a timely notice to its shareholders who (a) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds on a properly-filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If a Fund makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders gross income under clause (a) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (b) of the preceding sentence. The Funds are not required to, and there can be no assurance a Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.
In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below), its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a RIC generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any net capital loss attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31, or, if there is no such loss, the net long-term capital loss or net short-term capital loss attributable to any such portion of the taxable year) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, the sum of its (i) net ordinary loss, if any, from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31, and (ii) other net ordinary loss, if any, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.
If a Fund were to fail to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal, in general, to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 of such year (or a later date if the Fund is eligible to elect and so elects), plus any such amounts retained from the prior year, the Fund would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a RICs ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31 of a calendar year (or a later date, if the RIC makes the election referred to above) generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Also, for these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. Each Fund intends generally to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. Distributions declared by a Fund during October, November and December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the Fund during the following January will be treated for federal tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which declared.
Capital losses in excess of capital gains (net capital losses) are not permitted to be deducted against a Funds net investment income. If a Fund incurs or has incurred net capital losses in taxable years beginning after December 22, 2010 (post-2010 losses), those losses will be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. If a Fund incurred net capital losses in a taxable year beginning on or before December 22, 2010 (pre-2011 losses), the Fund is permitted to carry such losses forward for eight taxable years; in the year to which they are
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carried forward, such losses are treated as short-term capital losses that first offset any short-term capital gains, and then offset any long-term capital gains. A Fund must use any post-2010 losses, which will not expire, before it uses any pre-2011 losses. This increases the likelihood that pre-2011 losses will expire unused at the conclusion of the eight-year carryforward period. A Funds ability to use net capital losses to offset gains may be limited as a result of certain (a) acquisitive reorganizations and (b) shifts in the ownership of the Fund by a shareholder owning or treated as owning 5% or more of the stock of the Fund. See a Funds most recent annual shareholder report for the Funds available capital loss carryovers as of the end of its most recently ended fiscal year.
Taxation of Distributions Received by Shareholders
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long a Portfolio has owned (or is deemed to have owned) the investments that generated them, rather than how long a Fund has held its interest in the Portfolio or a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. In general, a Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of assets a Portfolio has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of investments a Portfolio has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net-capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that are properly reported by a Fund as capital gain dividends (Capital Gain Dividends) generally will be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates relative to ordinary income. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryovers. The Funds do not expect to distribute Capital Gain Dividends. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of investment income properly reported by a Fund and, in the case of a Fund investing in a Portfolio treated as a RIC, the Portfolio, as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to net capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at the shareholder, the Portfolio and, in the case of a Fund investing in a Portfolio treated as a RIC, the Fund level. The Funds do not expect Fund distributions to be derived from qualified dividend income.
The Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals, trusts and estates to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by the Fund of net investment income and capital gains, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption, exchange other taxable disposition of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund.
Shareholders of a Fund will be subject to federal income taxes as described herein on distributions made by the Fund whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
If a Fund makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of such shareholders tax basis in its shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholders tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.
Distributions with respect to a Funds shares are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Funds realized income and gains, even though such distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholders investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when a Funds net asset value reflects either unrealized gains, or realized but undistributed income or gains, that were therefore included in the price the shareholder paid. Such distributions may reduce the fair market value of the Funds shares below the shareholders cost basis in those shares. As described above, a Fund is required to distribute realized income and gains regardless of whether the Funds net asset value also reflects unrealized losses.
In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the corresponding Portfolio must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks held by the Portfolio, the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Funds shares, and in the case of a Fund investing in a Portfolio treated as a RIC, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to its shares in the Portfolio. In general, a dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at any of the Portfolio, Fund or shareholder level, as applicable) (a) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (b) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (c) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (d) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (i) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (ii) treated as a passive foreign investment company.
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In general, distributions of investment income properly reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income in the hands of a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Funds shares. If the aggregate qualified dividends (a) allocated to a Fund by a Portfolio that is treated as a partnership or (b) received by a Fund from a Portfolio that is treated as a RIC, during any taxable year are 95% or more of the Funds gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Funds dividends (other than dividends properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.
In general, dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of a Fund will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of eligible (a) dividends from domestic corporations received by a Portfolio (a) that is treated as a partnership and allocated to the Fund, or (b) that is treated as a RIC and in turn paid by the Portfolio to the Fund for the taxable year. A dividend so allocated or paid to a Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (at any of the Portfolio, Fund or shareholder level, as applicable) (a) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Portfolio has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (b) to the extent that the Portfolio is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, a Fund that invests in a corresponding Portfolio that is treated as a RIC must meet similar requirements with respect to its shares of the corresponding Portfolio. Finally, the dividends received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (x) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (y) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)). The Funds do not expect Fund distributions to be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Any distribution of income that is attributable to (a) income received by a Portfolio in lieu of dividends with respect to Portfolio securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (b) dividend income received by a Portfolio on securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.
If a Fund holds, directly or indirectly, one or more tax credit bonds on one or more applicable dates during a taxable year, the Fund may elect to permit its shareholders to claim a tax credit on their income tax returns equal to each shareholders proportionate share of tax credits from the bond otherwise allowed to the Fund. In such a case, shareholders must include in gross income (as interest) their proportionate share of the income attributable to the tax credits. A shareholders ability to claim a tax credit associated with one or more tax credit bonds may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, and the amount of the tax credits may not exceed the amount reported by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders. Even if a Fund is eligible to pass through tax credits to shareholders, the Fund may choose not to do so.
Tax Considerations Applicable to Funds Investing in Portfolios Treated as Partnerships
Certain Funds invest substantially all of their investable assets in a corresponding Portfolio that is treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes. In such cases the nature and character of each such Funds income, gains, losses and deductions will generally be determined at the Portfolio level and each such Fund will be allocated its share of Portfolio income and gains. As applicable, references to income, gains, losses and deductions of a Fund will be to income, gains and losses recognized and deductions accruing at the Portfolio level and allocated to or otherwise taken into account by the Fund, and references to assets of a Fund will be to the Funds allocable share of the assets of the corresponding Portfolio.
Such a Fund may be required to redeem a portion of its interest in a Portfolio in order to obtain sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions to maintain its qualification for treatment as a RIC. The Portfolio in turn may be required to sell investments in order to meet such redemption requests, including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so.
Tax Considerations Applicable to Funds Investing in Portfolios Treated as RICs
The following considerations are relevant to shareholders of Funds that invest substantially all of their assets in a corresponding Portfolio that intends to elect to be treated and to qualify and be eligible to be treated each year as a RIC.
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Substantially all of such a Funds income will result from distributions or deemed distributions from the corresponding Portfolio. Additionally, whether a Fund will meet the asset diversification test described above will depend on whether the corresponding Portfolio meets such test. If a Portfolio were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution test and were ineligible to or otherwise were not to cure such failure, the corresponding Fund would as a result itself fail to meet the asset diversification test and may be ineligible or unable to or may otherwise not cure such failure.
Because each Fund invests substantially all of their assets in shares of the corresponding Portfolio, its distributable income and gains will normally consist substantially of distributions from the corresponding Portfolio. To the extent that a Portfolio realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the corresponding Fund will not be able to benefit from those losses until, and only to the extent that (i) the Portfolio realizes gains that it can reduce by those losses, or (ii) the Fund recognizes its share of those losses when it disposes of shares of the Portfolio in a transaction qualifying for sale or exchange treatment. Moreover, even when a Fund does make such a disposition, any loss will be recognized as a capital loss, a portion of which may be a long-term capital loss. The Funds will not be able to offset any capital losses from its dispositions of shares of the corresponding Portfolio against its ordinary income (including distributions of any net short-term capital gains realized by a Portfolio), and the Funds long-term capital losses first offset its long-term capital gains, increasing the likelihood that the Funds short-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as ordinary income.
In addition, in certain circumstances, the wash sale rules under Section 1091 of the Code may apply to the Funds sales of the corresponding Portfolio shares that have generated losses. A wash sale occurs if shares of an issuer are sold by a Fund at a loss and the Fund acquires additional shares of that same issuer 30 days before or after the date of the sale. The wash-sale rules could defer losses in a Funds hands on corresponding Portfolio shares (to the extent such sales are wash sales) for extended (and, in certain cases, potentially indefinite) periods of time.
If a Portfolio receives dividends from a mutual fund, an ETF or another company that qualifies as a RIC (each an investment company) and the investment company reports such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Portfolio is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Portfolio meets the holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the investment company.
If a Portfolio receives dividends from an investment company and the investment company reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Portfolio is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of its distributions as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, provided the Portfolio meets the holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the investment company.
The foregoing rules may cause the tax treatments of a Funds gains, losses and distributions to differ at times from the tax treatment that would apply if the Fund invested directly in the types of securities held by the corresponding Portfolio. As a result, investors may receive taxable distributions earlier and recognize higher amounts of capital gain or ordinary income than they otherwise would.
As applicable, references to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of the Funds, including to the assets owned and the income earned by the Funds, will be to or will include such treatment of the corresponding Portfolio, and, as applicable, the assets owned and the income earned by the corresponding Portfolio.
Tax Implications of Certain Portfolio Investments
Special Rules for Debt Obligations . Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) will be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, original issue discount (OID) is treated as interest income and is included in the Portfolios income and required to be distributed by the Portfolio over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. In addition, payment-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Portfolio holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.
Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired by a Portfolio in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its revised issue price) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the accrued market discount on such debt security. Alternatively, a Portfolio may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Portfolio will be required to include the accrued market discount in the Portfolios income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the
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term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in a Portfolios income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Portfolio elects.
If the Portfolio holds the foregoing kinds of obligations, or other debt obligations subject to special rules under the Code, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Portfolio actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Portfolio or, if necessary, by disposition of portfolio securities including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so. These dispositions may cause the Portfolio to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event the Portfolio realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend than they would have if the Portfolio had not held such obligations.
Securities Purchased at a Premium . Very generally, where a Portfolio purchases a bond at a price that exceeds the redemption price at maturity that is, at a premium the premium is amortizable over the remaining term of the bond. In the case of a taxable bond, if a Portfolio makes an election applicable to all such bonds it purchases, which election is irrevocable without consent of the IRS, the Portfolio reduces the current taxable income from the bond by the amortized premium and reduces its tax basis in the bond by the amount of such offset; upon the disposition or maturity of such bonds acquired on or after January 4, 2013, the Portfolio is permitted to deduct any remaining premium allocable to a prior period.
A portion of the OID accrued on certain high yield discount obligations may not be deductible to the issuer and will instead be treated as a dividend paid by the issuer for purposes of the dividends received deduction. In such cases, if the issuer of the high yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by a Portfolio may be eligible for the dividends received deduction to the extent attributable to the deemed dividend portion of such OID.
At-risk or Defaulted Securities . Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for a Portfolio. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Portfolio may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount; whether, when or to what extent a Portfolio should recognize market discount on a debt obligation; when and to what extent a Portfolio may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities; and how a Portfolio should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a Portfolio when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Certain Investments in Mortgage Pooling Vehicles . A Portfolio may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) (including by investing in residual interests in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (TMPs). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Portfolios income (including income allocated to the Portfolio from certain pass-through entities) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a RIC, such as a Portfolio, will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, a RIC investing in such securities may not be a suitable investment for charitable remainder trusts, as noted below.
In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and that otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.
Foreign Currency Transactions . Any transaction by a Portfolio in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations or certain foreign currency options, futures contracts or forward contracts (or similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Any such net gains could require a larger dividend toward the end of the calendar year. Any such net losses will generally reduce and potentially require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate Portfolio distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Portfolio to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years.
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Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, a Portfolio may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.
Options and Futures . In general, option premiums received by a Portfolio are not immediately included in the income of the Portfolio. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Portfolio transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If a call option written by a Portfolio is exercised and the Portfolio sells or delivers the underlying stock, the Portfolio generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the Portfolio minus (b) the Portfolios basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a Portfolio pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Portfolio generally will subtract the premium received for purposes of computing its cost basis in the securities purchased. Gain or loss arising in respect of a termination of a Portfolios obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the Portfolio is greater or less than the amount paid by the Portfolio (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a Portfolio expires unexercised, the Portfolio generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
A Portfolios options activities may include transactions constituting straddles for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is, that trigger the U.S. federal income tax straddle rules contained primarily in Section 1092 of the Code. Such straddles include, for example, positions in a particular security, or an index of securities, and one or more options that offset the former position, including options that are covered by a Portfolios long position in the subject security. Very generally, where applicable, Section 1092 requires (i) that losses be deferred on positions deemed to be offsetting positions with respect to substantially similar or related property, to the extent of unrealized gain in the latter, and (ii) that the holding period of such a straddle position that has not already been held for the long-term holding period be terminated and begin anew once the position is no longer part of a straddle. Options on single stocks that are not deep in the money may constitute qualified covered calls, which generally are not subject to the straddle rules; the holding period on stock underlying qualified covered calls that are in the money although not deep in the money will be suspended during the period that such calls are outstanding. Thus, the straddle rules and the rules governing qualified covered calls could cause gains that would otherwise constitute long-term capital gains to be treated as short-term capital gains, and distributions that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income or qualify for the dividends-received deduction to fail to satisfy the holding period requirements and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income or fail to qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction, as the case may be.
The tax treatment of certain positions entered into by a Fund, including regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency positions and certain listed non-equity options, will be governed by section 1256 of the Code (section 1256 contracts). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (60/40), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, section 1256 contracts held by a Portfolio at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are marked to market with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable.
Derivatives, Hedging, and Related Transactions . In addition to the special rules described above in respect of futures and options transactions, a Portfolios transactions in other derivative instruments (e.g., forward contracts and swap agreements), as well as any of its hedging, short sale, securities loan or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules (e.g., notional principal contract, straddle, constructive sale, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Portfolio are treated as ordinary or capital, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the Portfolio, defer losses to the Portfolio, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Portfolios securities, thereby affecting whether capital gains and losses are treated as short-term or long-term. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders.
Because these and other tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Portfolio has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a Portfolio-level tax.
Book-Tax Differences . Certain of a Portfolios investments in derivative instruments and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and any of the Portfolios transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, are likely to produce a difference between its book income and the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any). If such a difference arises, and a Portfolios book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income, a Portfolio that intends to be treated as a RIC could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment and to avoid an entity-level tax. In the alternative, if a Portfolios book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and net tax-exempt income, the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Portfolios remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipients basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset.
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Foreign Taxation
Income received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other foreign taxes. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is not feasible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance since the amount of a Funds assets to be invested in various countries (if any) will vary.
Backup Withholding
A Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN), who has under- reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding rate is 28%.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders
Income of a RIC that would be unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally constitute UBTI when distributed to a tax-exempt shareholder of the RIC. Notwithstanding this blocking effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b).
A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a Fund recognizes excess inclusion income derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICS or equity interests in TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Funds investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).
In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in section 664 of the Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a RIC that recognizes excess inclusion income. Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a RIC that recognizes excess inclusion income, then the RIC will be subject to a tax on that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, each Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholders distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholders interest in each Fund. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in each Fund.
Redemptions and Exchanges
Redemptions and exchanges of each Funds shares are taxable events and, accordingly, shareholders may realize gain or loss on these transactions. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. Further, subject to the discussion below regarding floating NAV money market funds, all or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares will generally be disallowed under the Codes wash-sale rule if other substantially identical shares are purchased, including by means of dividend reinvestment, within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
The IRS has issued proposed regulations, on which taxpayers may rely, that permit a simplified method of accounting for gains and losses realized upon the disposition of shares of a regulated investment company that is a so-called floating NAV money market fund, such as the 60 Day Fund and the Liquid Assets Fund. Very generally, rather than realizing gain or loss upon each redemption of a
48
share, a shareholder using such method of accounting will recognize gain or loss with respect to such a Funds shares for a given computation period (the shareholders taxable year or shorter period selected by the shareholder) equal to the value of all the Fund shares held by the shareholder on the last day of the computation period, less the value of all Fund shares held by the shareholder on the last day of the preceding computation period, less the shareholders net investment in the Fund (generally, purchases minus redemptions) made during the computation period. The IRS has also published guidance providing that the wash-sale of the Codedisallowing losses on taxable dispositions of Fund shares where other substantially identical shares are purchased, including by means of dividend reinvestment, within 30 days before or after the dispositionwill not apply to redemptions of shares in a money market fund subject to the floating NAV amendments. The proposed regulations and IRS guidance remain subject to change. Shareholders of a Fund are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their investment in the Fund.
Upon the redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide you and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares you redeemed or exchanged. See the Funds prospectuses for more information.
Tax Shelter Reporting
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the 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. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Non-U.S. Investors
Non-U.S. shareholders in the Fund should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares in the Fund. Distributions by the Fund to shareholders that are not U.S. persons within the meaning of the Code ( foreign shareholders) properly reported by the Fund as (1) Capital Gain Dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends, and (3) interest-related dividends, each as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, generally are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax.
In general, the Code defines (1) short-term capital gain dividends as distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses and (2) interest-related dividends as distributions from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, in each case to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders.
The exceptions to withholding for Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain dividends do not apply to (A) distributions to an individual foreign shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (B) distributions attributable to gain that is (or is treated as) effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States, including distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below. If the Fund invests in a RIC that pays such distributions to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign shareholders. The exception to withholding for interest-related dividends does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder (i) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (ii) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign shareholder is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (iii) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (iv) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation). A RIC is permitted to report such parts of its dividends as are eligible to be treated as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends, but is not required to do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders.
Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of withholding rules to their accounts.
Distributions by a Fund to foreign shareholders other than Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends and interest related dividends (e.g., dividends attributable to dividend and foreign source interest income or to short-term capital gains or U.S. source interest income to which the exception from withholding described above does not apply) are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).
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A foreign shareholder is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Fund unless (a) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (b) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met, or (c) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests (USRPIs) apply to the foreign shareholders sale of shares of the Fund (as described below).
Foreign shareholders with respect to whom income from a Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign person within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.
Special rules would apply if a Fund were a qualified investment entity (QIE) because it is either a U.S. real property holding corporation (USRPHC) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporations USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other trade or business assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or, very generally, an entity that has been a USRPHC in the last five years. A Fund that holds, directly or indirectly, significant interests in REITs may be a USRPHC. Interests in domestically controlled QIEs, including REITs and RICs that are QIEs, not-greater-than-10% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs and not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in RICs generally are not USRPIs, but these exceptions do not apply for purposes of determining whether a Fund is a QIE. If an interest in a Fund were a USRPI, the Fund would be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.
If a Fund were a QIE under a special look-through rule, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder attributable directly or indirectly to (i) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands and (ii) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund, would retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Funds foreign shareholders and would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholders current and past ownership of the Fund. Each Fund generally does not expect that it will be a QIE.
Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisers and, if holding shares through intermediaries, their intermediaries, concerning the application of these rules to their investment in a Fund.
In order for a foreign shareholder to qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or from lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from back back-up withholding, the foreign shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, W-8 BEN-E, or substitute form). Non-U.S. investors in the Funds should consult their tax advisers in this regard.
Special rules (including withholding and reporting requirements) apply to foreign partnerships and those holding Fund shares through foreign partnerships. Additional considerations may apply to foreign trusts and estates. Investors holding Fund shares through foreign entities should consult their tax advisers about their particular situation.
A foreign shareholder may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the U.S. federal income tax on income referred to above.
Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect To Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
Shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of a Fund by vote or value could be required to report annually their financial interest in the Funds foreign financial accounts, if any, on FinCEN Form, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor, and persons investing in a Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary, regarding the applicability to them of this reporting requirement.
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Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements
Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, FATCA) generally require a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement (an IGA) between the United States and a foreign government. If a shareholder fails to provide the requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays and 30% of the gross proceeds of share redemptions or exchanges and certain Capital Gain Dividends it pays on or after January 1, 2017 (which date, under recent Treasury guidance, is expected to be delayed until on or after January 1, 2019). If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g., Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends).
Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax adviser regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investors own situation, including investments through an intermediary.
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General Considerations
The U.S. federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information only. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisers regarding the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding, and disposing of shares of the Fund, as well as the effects of state, local, foreign, and other tax law and any proposed tax law changes.
State Street Global Markets, LLC serves as the Funds Distributor (the Distributor) pursuant to the Distribution Agreement by and between the Distributor and the Trust. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Funds pay the Distributor fees under the Rule 12b-1 Plan in effect for the Funds. For a description of the fees paid to the Distributor under the Rule 12b-1 Plan, see Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plans, above. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific number of shares and will sell shares of a Fund on a continuous basis only against orders to purchase shares. The principal business address of the Distributor is One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111.
The audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 for the Funds in operation at that date are included in the Annual Report of the Trust (the Annual Report), which was filed with the SEC on March 11, 2015 as part of the Trusts filing on Form N-CSR (SEC Accession No. 0001193125-13-098256) and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. The Annual Report is available, without charge, upon request, by calling (877) 521-4083.
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RATINGS OF DEBT INSTRUMENTS
MOODYS INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (MOODYS) LONG TERM DEBT RATINGS. The following is a description of Moodys debt instrument ratings.
Aaa Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A Bonds that are rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa Baa rated bonds are considered medium-grade obligations, and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics and are subject to moderate credit risk.
Ba Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B and Lower Bonds which are rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. Bonds which are rated
Caa are of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Moodys applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a midrange ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
P-1 Moodys short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers (or supporting institutions) to honor short-term financial obligations. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months. The designation Prime-1 or P-1 indicates a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
STANDARD & POORS RATING GROUP (S&P). S&Ps ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations: (i) the likelihood of default capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation; (ii) the nature of and provisions of the obligation; and (iii) the protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors rights.
AAA Bonds rated AAA are highest grade debt obligations. This rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest.
AA Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality obligations. Their capacity to pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they differ from AAA issues only by a small degree.
A Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher-rated categories.
BBB Bonds rated BBB exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and principal.
BB and Lower Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such bonds may have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
The ratings AA to C may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
A-1- Standard & Poors short-term issue credit ratings are current assessments of the likelihood of timely payments of debt having original maturity of no more than 365 days. The A-1 designation indicates that the capacity for payment is extremely strong.
A-1
A-2- The capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is strong. However, a short-term debt with this rating is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debts in higher rating categories.
Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
FITCH RATINGS. (FITCH).
Fitch Ratings cover a global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the securities or other obligations they issue.
AAA Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB Speculative BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.
Fitch Ratings appends the modifiers + or - to denote relative status within the major rating categories.
A short-term rating has a time horizon of up to 13 months for most obligations, or up to 36 months for US public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
F1. Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2. Good short-term credit quality. A Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
F3. Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B. Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C. High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.
D. Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a specific short-term obligation.
E. Restricted Default. Indicates an entity has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations.
A-2
SSGA FUNDS
STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
As of February 13, 2014
The Boards of Trustees of the SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust (each a Trust) 1 have adopted the following policy and procedures with respect to voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trusts investment portfolios.
1. | Proxy Voting Policy |
The policy of the Trust is to delegate the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trust to SSGA Funds Management, Inc., the Trusts investment adviser (the Adviser), subject to the Trustees continuing oversight.
2. | Fiduciary Duty |
The right to vote proxies with respect to a portfolio security held by the Trust is an asset of the Trust. The Adviser acts as a fiduciary of the Trust and must vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best interest of the Trust and its shareholders.
3. | Proxy Voting Procedures |
A. At least annually, the Adviser shall present to the Board its policies, procedures and other guidelines for voting proxies (Policy). In addition, the Adviser shall notify the Trustees of material changes to its Policy promptly and not later than the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees after such amendment is implemented.
B. With respect to any proxies that the Adviser has identified as involving a conflict of interest, the Adviser shall submit a report indicating the nature of the conflict of interest and how that conflict was resolved with respect to the voting of the proxy at the next regular meeting of the Board or Trustees. For this purpose, a conflict of interest shall be deemed to occur when the Adviser, the principal underwriter of the Trust (the Principal Underwriter) or an affiliated person of the Adviser or the Principal Underwriter has a financial interest in a matter presented by a proxy to be voted on behalf of a Trust, other than the obligations the Adviser or the Principal Underwriter incurs as a service provider to the Trust, which may compromise the Advisers or Principal Underwriters independence of judgment and action in voting the proxy.
C. At least annually, the Adviser shall inform the Trustees that a record is available with respect to each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Trust during the year. Also see Section 5 below.
4. | Revocation of Authority to Vote |
The delegation by the Trustees of the authority to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Trust may be revoked by the Trustees, in whole or in part, at any time.
1 | Unless otherwise noted, the singular term Trust used throughout this document means each of SSgA Funds, State Street Master Funds and State Street Institutional Investment Trust. |
5. | Annual Filing of Proxy Voting Record |
The Adviser shall provide the required data for each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Trust to the Trust or its designated service provider in a timely manner and in a format acceptable to be filed in the Trusts annual proxy voting report on Form N-PX for the twelve-month period ended June 30. Form N-PX is required to be filed not later than August 31 of each year.
B-1
6. | Disclosures |
A. | The Trust shall include in its registration statement: |
1. A description of this policy and of the policies and procedures used by the Adviser to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities; and
2. A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the Securities and Exchange Commissions (the SEC) website.
B. | The Trust shall include in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders: |
1. A statement disclosing that a description of the policies and procedures used by or on behalf of the Trust to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Funds is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; through a specified Internet address, if applicable; and on the SECs website; and
2. A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the SECs website.
7. | Review of Policy |
The Trustees shall review this policy to determine its continued sufficiency as necessary from time to time.
B-2
March 2016
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.
FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
SSGA FM maintains Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines for select markets, including: the US, the EU, the UK, Australia, emerging markets and Japan. International markets that do not have specific guidelines are reviewed and voted consistent with our Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles; however, SSGA FM also endeavors to show sensitivity to local market practices when voting in these various markets.
SSGA FMs Approach to Proxy Voting and Issuer Engagement
At SSGA FM, we take our fiduciary duties as an asset manager very seriously. We have a dedicated team of corporate governance professionals who help us carry out our duties as a responsible investor. These duties include engaging with companies, developing and enhancing in-house corporate governance policies, analyzing corporate governance issues on a case-by-case basis at the company level, and exercising our voting rightsall to maximize shareholder value.
SSGA FMs Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles (the Principles) may take different perspectives on common governance issues that vary from one market to another and, likewise, engagement activity may take different forms in order to best achieve long-term engagement goals. We believe that proxy voting and engagement with portfolio companies is often the most direct and productive way shareholders can exercise their ownership rights, and taken together, we view these tools to be an integral part of the overall investment process.
We believe engagement and voting activity have a direct relationship. As a result, the integration of our engagement activities, while leveraging the exercise of our voting rights, provides a meaningful shareholder tool that we believe protects and enhances the long-term economic value of the holdings in our client accounts. SSGA FM maximizes its voting power and engagement by maintaining a centralized proxy voting and active ownership process covering all holdings, regardless of strategy. Despite the different investment views and objectives across SSGA FM, depending on the product or strategy, the fiduciary responsibilities of share ownership and voting for which SSGA FM has voting discretion are carried out with a single voice and objective.
The Principles support governance structures that we believe add to, or maximize shareholder value at the companies held in our clients portfolios. SSGA FM conducts issuer specific engagements with companies to discuss our principles, including sustainability related risks. In addition, we encourage issuers to find ways of increasing the amount of direct communication board members have with shareholders. We believe direct communication with executive board members and independent non-executive
directors is critical to helping companies understand shareholder concerns. Conversely, where appropriate, we conduct collaborative engagement activities with multiple shareholders and communicate with company representatives about common concerns.
In conducting our engagements, SSGA FM also evaluates the various factors that play into the corporate governance framework of a country, including the macroeconomic conditions and broader political system, the quality of regulatory oversight, the enforcement of property and shareholder rights and the independence of the judiciary to name a few. SSGA FM understands that regulatory requirements and investor expectations relating to governance practices and engagement activities differ from country-to-country. As a result, SSGA FM engages with issuers, regulators, or both, depending on the market. SSGA FM also is a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy at the country level as well as issuer specific concerns at a company level.
To help mitigate company specific risk, the team may collaborate with members of the active investment teams to engage with companies on corporate governance issues and address any specific concerns, or to get more information regarding shareholder items that are to be voted on at upcoming shareholder meetings. Outside of proxy voting season, SSGA FM conducts issuer specific engagements with companies covering various corporate governance and sustainability related topics.
The SSGA 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
SSGA Funds Management, Inc | 2 |
FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
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.
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.
Proxy Voting Procedure
Oversight
The SSGA 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 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.
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FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
Directors and Boards
The election of directors is one of the most important fiduciary duties SSGA FM performs as a shareholder. SSGA FM believes that well-governed companies can protect and pursue shareholder interests better and withstand the challenges of an uncertain economic environment. As such, SSGA FM seeks to vote director elections in a way which we, as a fiduciary, believe will maximize the long-term value of each portfolios holdings.
Principally, a board acts on behalf of shareholders by protecting their interests and preserving their rights. This concept establishes the standard by which board and director performance is measured. To achieve this fundamental principle, the role of the board, in SSGA FMs view, is to carry out its responsibilities in the best long-term interest of the company and its shareholders. An independent and effective board oversees management, provides guidance on strategic matters, selects the CEO and other senior executives, creates a succession plan for the board and management, provides risk oversight and assesses the performance of the CEO and management. In contrast, management implements the business and capital allocation strategies and runs the companys day-to-day operations. As part of SSGA FMs engagement process, SSGA FM routinely discusses the importance of these responsibilities with the boards of issuers.
SSGA FM believes the quality of a board is a measure of director independence, director succession planning, board evaluations and refreshment and company governance practices. In voting to elect nominees, SSGA FM considers many factors. SSGA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. A sufficiently independent 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 dilutive to its shareholders.
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, 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
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FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
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.
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.
Fixed Income Stewardship
The two elements of SSGA FMs fixed income stewardship program are:
Proxy Voting:
While matters that come up for a vote at bondholder meetings vary by jurisdiction, examples of common proxy voting resolutions at bondholder meetings include:
| Approving amendments to debt covenants and/or terms of issuance; |
| Authorizing procedural matters such as filing of required documents/other formalities; |
| Approving debt restructuring plans; |
| Abstaining from challenging the bankruptcy trustees; |
| Authorizing repurchase of issued debt security; |
| Approving the placement of unissued debt securities under the control of directors; and, |
| Approve spin-off/absorption proposals. |
Given the nature of the items that come up for vote at bondholder meetings, SSGA FM takes a case-by-case approach to voting bondholder resolutions. Where necessary, SSGA FM will engage with issuers on voting matters prior to arriving at voting decisions. All voting decisions will be made in the best interest of our clients.
Issuer Engagement:
SSGA FM recognizes that debt holders have limited leverage with companies on a day-to-day basis. However, we believe that given the size of our holdings in corporate debt, SSGA FM can meaningfully influence ESG practices of companies through issuer engagement. Our guidelines for engagement with fixed income issuers broadly follow the engagement guidelines for our equity holdings as described above.
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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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FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
ssga.com
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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. 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.
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.
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March 2016
Managing Conflicts of Interest Arising From SSGAS Proxy Voting and Engagement Activity
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 Arising From SSGAS Proxy Voting and Engagement Activity
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, serves as a director on the board of a listed company) 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.
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Managing Conflicts of Interest Arising From SSGAS Proxy Voting and Engagement Activity
ssga.com
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
State Street Global Advisors |
© 2016 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. INST-6331 0316 Exp. Date: 03/31/2017 |
March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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. |
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
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 not been responsive to a shareholder proposal which received a majority shareholder support at the last annual or special meeting; consideration maybe given if 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 bylaws that negatively impact SSGA FMs shareholder rights (such as fee-shifting, forum selection and exclusion service bylaws) 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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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
| 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 by-laws 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
In general, SSGA FM believes that proxy access is a fundamental right and an accountability mechanism for all long-term shareholders. SSGA FM will consider proposals relating to Proxy Access on a case-by-case basis. SSGA FM will support shareholder proposals that set parameters to empower long-term shareholders while providing management the flexibility to design a process that is appropriate for the companys circumstances.
SSGA FM will review the terms of all other proposals and will support those proposals that have been introduced in the spirit of enhancing shareholder rights.
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 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.
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
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conducting both activities and will support the establishment of a selection committee responsible for the final approval of significant management consultant contract awards where existing firms are already acting in an auditing function.
In circumstances where other fees include fees related to initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs, and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees which are determined to be an exception to the standard non-audit fee category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit/audit-related fees/tax compliance and preparation for purposes of determining whether non-audit fees are excessive.
SSGA FM will support the discharge of auditors and requirements that auditors attend the annual meeting of shareholders. 1
Capital Related Issues
Capital structure proposals include requests by management for approval of amendments to the certificate of incorporation that will alter the capital structure of the company.
The most common request is for an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock, usually in conjunction with a stock split or dividend. Typically, requests that are not unreasonably dilutive or enhance the rights of common shareholders are supported. In considering authorized share proposals, the typical threshold for approval is 100% over current authorized shares. However, the threshold may be increased if the company offers a specific need or purpose (merger, stock splits, growth purposes, etc.). All proposals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis taking into account the companys specific financial situation.
Increase in Authorized Common Shares
In general, SSGA FM supports share increases for general corporate purposes up to 100% of current authorized stock.
SSGA FM supports increases for specific corporate purposes up to 100% of the specific need plus 50% of current authorized common stock for US firms.
When applying the thresholds, SSGA FM will also consider the nature of the specific need, such as mergers and acquisitions and stock splits.
Increase in Authorized Preferred Shares
SSGA FM votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to increase the number of preferred shares.
Generally, SSGA FM will vote for the authorization of preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the
voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.
SSGA FM will support proposals to create declawed blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense). However, SSGA FM will vote against proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred stock authorized for issuance when no shares have been issued or reserved for a specific purpose.
Unequal Voting Rights
SSGA FM will not support proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will vote against new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSGA FM will not support capitalization changes that add blank check classes of stock (i.e. classes of stock with undefined voting rights) or classes that dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.
However, SSGA FM will support capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, 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. |
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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 by-laws to add or delete a provision that is deemed to have an anti-takeover effect. The majority of these proposals deal with managements attempt to add some provision that makes a hostile takeover more difficult or will protect incumbent management in the event of a change in control of the company.
Proposals that reduce shareholders rights or have the effect of entrenching incumbent management will not be supported.
Proposals that enhance the right of shareholders to make their own choices as to the desirability of a merger or other proposal are supported.
Shareholder Rights Plans
SSGA FM will support mandates requiring shareholder approval of a shareholder rights plans (poison pill) and repeals of various anti-takeover related provisions.
In general, SSGA FM will vote against the adoption or renewal of a US issuers shareholder rights plan (poison pill).
SSGA FM will vote for an amendment to a shareholder rights plan (poison pill) where the terms of the new plans are more favorable to shareholders ability to accept unsolicited offers (i.e. if one of the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20%, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no dead hand, slow hand, no hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill, and (iv) inclusion of a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced).
Special Meetings
SSGA FM will vote for shareholder proposals related to special meetings at companies that do not provide shareholders the right to call for a special meeting in their by-laws 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 by-laws 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 by-laws 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.
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Remuneration Issues
Despite the differences among the types of plans and the awards possible there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides the analysis of all compensation plans; namely, are the terms of the plan designed to provide an incentive for executives and/or employees to align their interests with those of the shareholders and thus work toward enhancing shareholder value. Plans which benefit participants only when the shareholders also benefit are those most likely to be supported.
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation and Frequency
SSGA FM believes executive compensation plays a critical role in aligning executives interest with shareholders, attracting, retaining and incentivizing key talent, and ensuring positive correlation between the performance achieved by management and the benefits derived by shareholders. SSGA FM supports management proposals on executive compensation where there is a strong relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period. SSGA FM seeks adequate disclosure of different compensation elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. Further, shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance on an annual basis.
Employee Equity Award Plans
SSGA FM considers numerous criteria when examining equity award proposals. Generally, SSGA FM does not vote against plans for lack of performance or vesting criteria. Rather, the main criteria that will result in a vote against an equity award plan are:
Excessive voting power dilution To assess the dilutive effect, we divide the number of shares required to fully fund the proposed plan, the number of authorized but unissued shares and the issued but unexercised shares by the fully diluted share count. SSGA FM reviews that number in light of certain factors, including the industry of the issuer.
Historical option grants Excessive historical option grants over the past three years. Plans that provide for historical grant patterns of greater than five to eight 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 by-laws 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 by-laws 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 a voting item; |
| Proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the by-laws; and |
| Proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal. |
Environmental and Social Issues
As a fiduciary, we consider the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business.
Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSGA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face
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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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066 155. 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.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 into 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 FM expects boards of ASX-300 listed companies to be comprised of at least a majority of independent directors. At all other listed companies, SSGA FM expects boards to be comprised of at least one-third independent directors.
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; |
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| 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 Australian 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 and 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.
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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 to 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.
Pre-emption rights are a fundamental right for shareholders to protect their investment in a company. Where companies seeks to issue new shares without 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 repurchase requests that allow share repurchases 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, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported. SSGA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSGA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
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Anti-Takeover Measures
SSGA FM opposes anti-takeover defenses, such as authorities for the board, when subject to a hostile takeover, to issue warrants convertible into shares to existing shareholders.
Remuneration
Executive Pay
There is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSGA FMs analysis of executive paythere should be a direct relationship between remuneration and company performance over the long-term. Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration reports, SSGA FM considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSGA FM may oppose remuneration reports where there seems to be a misalignment between pay and shareholders interests and where incentive policies and schemes have a re-test option or feature. SSGA FM may also vote against the re-election of members of the remuneration committee if we have serious concerns over remuneration practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure to review its approach.
Equity Incentive 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
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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
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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. |
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 favor of the annual election of directors, we recognize that director terms vary considerably in different European markets. SSGA FM may vote against article/by-law 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 and 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, with 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 to 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.
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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.
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 favors 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 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 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.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders,
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 anti-takeover 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 anti-takeover 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 Incentive Plans
SSGA FM may not support proposals on equity-based incentive plans where insufficient information is provided on matters such as grant limits, performance metrics, performance and vesting periods and overall dilution. SSGA FM does not generally support options under such plans being issued at a discount to market price or plans that allow for re-testing of performance metrics.
NonExecutive Director Pay
In European markets, authorities seeking shareholder approval for non-executive directors fees are generally not controversial. SSGA FM generally supports resolutions regarding directors fees unless disclosure is poor and we are unable to determine whether they are excessive relative to fees paid by other companies in the same country or industry. SSGA FM will evaluate on a company-by-company basis any non-cash or performance related pay to non-executive directors.
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Risk Management
SSGA FM believes that risk management is a key function of the board, which is responsible for setting the overall risk appetite of a company and for providing oversight on the risk management process established by senior executives at a company. SSGA FM allows boards discretion over how they provide oversight in this area. However, SSGA FM expects companies to disclose how the board provides oversight on its risk management system and to identify key risks facing the company. Boards should also review existing and emerging risks as they can change with a changing political and economic landscape, or as companies diversify or expand their operations into new areas.
Environmental and Social Issues
As a fiduciary, SSGA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSGA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSGA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result in anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.
In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSGA FMs team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint. SSGA FM may also take action against the re-election of members of the board if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure.
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ssga.com
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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
SSGA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. However, several factors such as low overall independence level requirements by market regulators, poor biographical disclosure of director profiles, prevalence of related-party transactions and the general resistance from controlling shareholders to increase board independence renders the election of directors as one of the most important fiduciary duties SSGA FM performs in emerging market companies.
SSGA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise. SSGA FM expects companies to meet minimum overall board independence standards as defined in a corporate governance code or market practice. Therefore, in several countries, SSGA FM will vote against select non-independent directors if overall board independence levels do not meet market standards.
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. |
In some countries, market practice calls for the establishment of a board level audit committee. In such cases, SSGA FM believes companies should have an audit committee that is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the company, appointing external auditors, monitoring their qualifications and independence as well as their effectiveness and resource levels. Based on our desire to enhance the quality of financial and accounting oversight provided by independent directors, SSGA FM expects that listed companies have an audit committee that is constituted of a majority of independent directors.
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
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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-appointment 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-shareholdings 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 and a definitive number of shares to be repurchased.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings,
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. |
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.
Remuneration
SSGA FM considers it to be the boards responsibility to set appropriate levels 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.
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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 investigations, charges of fraud or other indication of significant concerns.
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For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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, regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore) Telephone: +65 6826-7555 Facsimile: +65 6826-7501 Web: www.SSGA.com. 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.
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.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 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.
Japanese companies have the option of having a traditional board of directors with statutory auditors, a board with a committee structure, or a hybrid board with board level audit committee. SSGA FM will generally support companies that seek shareholder approval to adopt a committee or hybrid board 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 and 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 two outside directors, 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 independent directors. |
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
For companies with a committee structure or a hybrid board structure, SSGA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering general market practice, as well as the independence of the nominee. SSGA FM also takes into consideration the overall independence level of the committees. In determining director independence, SSGA FM considers the following factors:
| Participation in related-party transactions and other business relations with the company; |
| Past employment with the company; |
| Provides professional services to the company; and |
| Family ties with the company. |
Regardless of board structure, SSGA FM may oppose the election of a director for the following reasons:
| Failure to attend board meetings; or |
| In instances of egregious actions related to a directors service on the board. |
Indemnification and Limitations on Liability
Generally, SSGA FM supports proposals to limit directors and statutory auditors liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. SSGA FM believes limitations and indemnification are necessary to attract and retain qualified directors.
Audit Related Items
SSGA FM believes that a companys auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should have the opportunity to vote on their appointment at the annual meeting.
Ratifying External Auditors
SSGA FM will generally support the appointment of external auditors unless the external auditor is perceived as being non-independent and there are concerns about the accounts presented and the audit procedures followed.
Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors
SSGA FM generally opposes limiting the legal liability of audit firms as we believe this could create a negative impact on the quality of the audit function.
Capital Structure, Reorganization and Mergers
SSGA FM supports the one share one vote policy and favors a share structure where all shares have equal voting rights. SSGA FM supports proposals to abolish voting caps or multiple voting rights and will oppose measures to introduce these types of restrictions on shareholder rights.
SSGA FM believes pre-emption rights should be introduced for shareholders in order to provide adequate protection from being overly diluted from the issuance of new shares or convertible securities to third parties or a small number of select shareholders.
Unequal Voting Rights
SSGA FM generally opposes proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will generally oppose new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSGA FM will not support capitalization changes that add classes of stock with undefined voting rights or classes that may dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.
However, SSGA FM will support capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.
Increase in Authorized Capital
SSGA FM generally supports increases in authorized capital where the company provides an adequate explanation for the use of shares. In the absence of an adequate explanation, SSGA FM may oppose the request if the increase in authorized capital exceeds 100 percent of the currently authorized capital. 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 percent or more of net income. SSGA FM may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent 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 Japanese 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.
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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, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported.
SSGA FM evaluates mergers and structural reorganizations on a case-by-case basis. SSGA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSGA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
Anti-Takeover Measures
In general, SSGA FM believes that adoption of poison pills that have been structured to protect management and to prevent takeover bids from succeeding is not in shareholders interest. A shareholder rights plan may lead to management entrenchment and discourage legitimate tender offers and acquisitions. Even if the premium paid to companies with a shareholder rights plan is higher than that offered to unprotected firms, a companys chances of receiving a
takeover offer in the first place may be reduced by the presence of a shareholder rights plan.
Proposals that reduce shareholders rights or have the effect of entrenching incumbent management will not be supported.
Proposals that enhance the right of shareholders to make their own choices as to the desirability of a merger or other proposal are supported.
Shareholder Rights Plans
In evaluating poison pills, the following conditions must be met before SSGA FM will recommend a vote in favor.
SSGA FM will support the adoption or renewal of a Japanese issuers shareholder rights plans (poison pill) if the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20 percent, (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 percent, (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.
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Approve Adjustment to Aggregate Compensation Ceiling for Directors
Remuneration for directors is generally reasonable. Typically, each company sets the director compensation parameters as an aggregate thereby limiting the total pay to all directors. When requesting a change, a company must disclose the last time the ceiling was adjusted and management provides the rationale for the ceiling increase. SSGA FM will generally support proposed increases to the ceiling if the company discloses the rationale for the increase. SSGA FM may oppose proposals to increase the ceiling if there has been corporate malfeasance or sustained poor performance.
Approve Annual Bonuses for Directors/Statutory Auditors
In Japan, since there are no legal requirements that mandate companies to seek shareholder approval before awarding a bonus, SSGA FM believes that existing shareholder approval of the bonus should be considered best practice. As a result, SSGA FM supports management proposals on executive compensation where there is a strong relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period.
Approve Retirement Bonuses for Directors/Statutory Auditors
Retirement bonuses make up a sizeable portion of directors and auditors lifetime compensation and are based on board tenure. While many companies in Japan have abolished this practice, there remain many proposals seeking shareholder approval for the total amounts paid to directors and statutory auditors as a whole. In general, SSGA FM supports these payments unless the recipient is an outsider or in instances where the amount is not disclosed.
Approve Stock Plan
Most option plans in Japan are conservative, particularly at large companies. Japan corporate law requires companies to disclose the monetary value of the stock options for directors and/or statutory auditors. Some companies do not disclose the maximum number of options that can be issued per year and shareholders are unable to evaluate the dilution impact. In this case, SSGA FM cannot calculate the dilution level and, therefore, SSGA FM may oppose such plans for poor disclosure. SSGA FM also opposes plans that allow for the repricing of the exercise price.
Deep Discount Options
As Japanese companies move away from the retirement bonus system, deep discount options plans have become more popular. Typically, the exercise price is set at JPY 1 per share. SSGA FM evaluates deep discount options using the same criteria used to evaluate stock options as well as considering the vesting period.
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
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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. |
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.
State Street Global Advisors | 2 |
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 and 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, with 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 to 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.
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 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.
State Street Global Advisors | 3 |
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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, 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 anti-takeover 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 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 Incentive 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.
State Street Global Advisors | 4 |
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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.
State Street Global Advisors | 5 |
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
ssga.com
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
State Street Global Advisors |
© 2016 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. INST-6453 0316 Exp. Date: 03/31/2017 |
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
(the Trust)
P.O. Box 5049
Boston, Massachusetts 02206
FUND | TICKER | |
STATE STREET EQUITY 500 INDEX II PORTFOLIO |
SSEYX |
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STATE STREET STRATEGIC REAL RETURN PORTFOLIO |
SSROX |
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STATE STREET AGGREGATE BOND INDEX PORTFOLIO |
SSAFX |
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STATE STREET GLOBAL EQUITY EX-U.S. INDEX PORTFOLIO |
SSGVX |
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STATE STREET SMALL/MID CAP EQUITY INDEX PORTFOLIO |
SSMHX |
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STATE STREET 60 DAY MONEY MARKET PORTFOLIO |
CCNXX |
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STATE STREET CASH RESERVES PORTFOLIO |
MMWXX |
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STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL LIQUID ASSETS PORTFOLIO |
MMVXX |
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STATE STREET CURRENT YIELD PORTFOLIO |
SSYMX |
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STATE STREET CONSERVATIVE INCOME PORTFOLIO |
SSKMX |
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STATE STREET ULTRA SHORT BOND PORTFOLIO |
SSTEX |
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
April 29, 2016
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) relates to the prospectuses dated April 29, 2016, as amended from time to time thereafter for each of the Portfolios listed above (each, a Prospectus and collectively, the Prospectuses).
The SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses. A copy of each Prospectus can be obtained free of charge by calling (866) 392-0869 or by written request to the Trust at the address listed above.
The Trusts audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, including the independent registered public accounting firm reports thereon, are included in the Trusts annual reports and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. Copies of the Trusts annual reports and semiannual reports are available, without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 392-0869 or by written request to the Trust at the address above.
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TABLE OF CONTENTS
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Description of the Portfolios and Their Investments and Risks |
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B-1 | ||||
Appendix C - Advisers Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines |
C-1 |
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The Trust was organized as a business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 16, 2000.
The Trust is an open-end management investment company. The Trust includes the following diversified series:
| 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 Treasury Money Market Fund; |
| State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund; |
| State Street Strategic Real Return Fund; |
| State Street Target Retirement Fund; |
| State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund; |
| State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund; |
| State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund; |
| State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund; |
| State Street 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 Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
| State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund; |
| State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund; |
| State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund |
| State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio (the Equity 500 Index II Portfolio); |
| State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio (the Strategic Real Return Portfolio); |
| State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio (the Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio); |
| State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio (the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio); |
| State Street Hedged International Equity Index Fund; |
| State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund; |
| State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund; |
| State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio (the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio); |
| State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund; |
| State Street 60 Day Money Market Portfolio (the 60 Day Money Market Portfolio); |
| State Street Cash Reserves Fund; |
| State Street Cash Reserves Portfolio (the Cash Reserves Portfolio); |
| State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund; |
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| State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio (the Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio); |
| State Street Current Yield Fund; |
| State Street Current Yield Portfolio (the Current Yield Portfolio); |
| State Street Conservative Income Fund; |
| State Street Conservative Income Portfolio (the Conservative Income Portfolio); |
| State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund; |
| State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio (the Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio); |
| State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund; |
| State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund; and |
| State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund. |
The Trust includes the following non-diversified series:
| State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund. |
The Equity 500 Index Portfolio, the Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, the 60 Day Money Market Portfolio, the Cash Reserves Portfolio, the Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio, the Current Yield Portfolio, the Conservative Income Portfolio and the Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio are referred to in this SAI as the Portfolios, and each Portfolio may be referred to in context as the Portfolio.
The Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, and the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio are referred to in this SAI as the Index Portfolios. The 60 Day Money Market Portfolio, the Cash Reserves Portfolio, the Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio, the Current Yield Portfolio, the Conservative Income Portfolio and the Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio are referred to in this SAI as the Cash Portfolios. The 60 Day Money Market Portfolio, Cash Reserves Portfolio and Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio are referred to in this SAI as the Money Market Portfolios.
DESCRIPTION OF THE PORTFOLIOS AND THEIR INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
Each Portfolios Prospectus contains information about the investment objective and policies of that Portfolio. This SAI should only be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Portfolio or Portfolios in which you intend to invest.
In addition to the principal investment strategies and the principal risks of the Portfolios described in each Portfolios Prospectus, a Portfolio may employ other investment practices and may be subject to additional risks, which are described below.
The Strategic Real Return Portfolio will likely gain a portion of its investment exposure, particularly to commodities and commodities-related investments, by investing in a Cayman Islands company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Portfolio (the Subsidiary) that uses some of the investment strategies listed below. Accordingly, references to the Strategic Real Return Portfolio herein should be deemed to include references to the Subsidiary as appropriate.
Additional Information Concerning the S&P 500
The Equity 500 Index II Portfolio is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Standard & Poors ® , a division of The McGraw-Hill Companies, Inc. (S&P). S&P makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Equity 500 Index II Portfolio or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Portfolio particularly or the ability of the S&P 500 to track general stock market performance. S&Ps only relationship to the Equity 500 Index II Portfolio is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of S&P and of the S&P 500, which is determined, composed and calculated by S&P without regard to the Portfolio. S&P has no obligation to take the needs of the Equity 500 Index II Portfolio or the owners of shares of the Portfolio into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the S&P 500. S&P is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the price and number of shares of the Equity 500 Index II Portfolio or the timing of the issuance or sale of shares of the Portfolio, or calculation of the equation by which shares of the Portfolio are redeemable for cash. S&P has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of shares of the Equity 500 Index II Portfolio.
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S&P does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the S&P 500 or any data included therein and S&P shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. S&P makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, owners of shares of the Portfolio or any other person or entity from the use of the S&P 500 or any data included therein. S&P makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the S&P 500 or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall S&P have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Additional Information Concerning the Barclays U.S. Aggregate Index (the U.S. Aggregate Index)
The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Barclays. Barclays makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Portfolio particularly or the ability of the U.S. Aggregate Index to track general performance. Barclayss only relationship to the Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of Barclays and of the U.S. Aggregate Index, which is determined, composed and calculated by Barclays without regard to the Portfolio. Barclays has no obligation to take the needs of the Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio or the owners of shares of the Portfolio into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the U.S. Aggregate Index. Barclays is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the price and number of shares of the Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio or the timing of the issuance or sale of shares of the Portfolio, or calculation of the equation by which shares of the Portfolio are redeemable for cash. Barclays has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of shares of the Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio.
Barclays does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the U.S. Aggregate Index or any data included therein and Barclays shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. Barclays makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, owners of shares of the Portfolio or any other person or entity from the use of the U.S. Aggregate Index or any data included therein. Barclays makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the U.S. Aggregate Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall Barclays have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
Additional Information Concerning the MSCI All Country World Index ex USA (the MSCI Index)
The Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio is not sponsored, endorsed, sold or promoted by Morgan Stanley Capital International Inc. (MSCI). MSCI makes no representation or warranty, express or implied, to the owners of shares of the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio or any member of the public regarding the advisability of investing in securities generally or in the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio particularly or the ability of the MSCI Index to track general performance. MSCIs only relationship to the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio is the licensing of certain trademarks and trade names of MSCI and of the MSCI Index, which is determined, composed and calculated by MSCI without regard to the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio. MSCI has no obligation to take the needs of the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio or the owners of shares of the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio into consideration in determining, composing or calculating the MSCI Index. MSCI is not responsible for and has not participated in the determination of the price and number of shares of the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio or the timing of the issuance or sale of shares of Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, or calculation of the equation by which shares of the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio are redeemable for cash. MSCI has no obligation or liability in connection with the administration, marketing or trading of shares of the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio.
MSCI does not guarantee the accuracy or the completeness of the MSCI Index or any data included therein and MSCI shall have no liability for any errors, omissions or interruptions therein. MSCI makes no warranty, express or implied, as to results to be obtained by the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, owners of shares of the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio or any other person or entity from the use of the MSCI Index or any data included therein. MSCI makes no express or implied warranties, and expressly disclaims all warranties of merchantability or fitness for a particular purpose or use with respect to the MSCI Index or any data included therein. Without limiting any of the foregoing, in no event shall MSCI have any liability for any special, punitive, indirect or consequential damages (including lost profits), even if notified of the possibility of such damages.
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ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
To the extent consistent with its investment objective and restrictions, each Portfolio may invest in the following instruments and use the following techniques, and is subject to the following additional risks.
Asset Segregation and Coverage
A Portfolio may be required to earmark or otherwise segregate liquid assets in respect of its obligations under derivatives transactions that involve contractual obligations to pay in the future, or a Portfolio may engage in other measures to cover its obligations with respect to such transactions. The amounts that are earmarked or otherwise segregated may be based on the notional value of the derivative or on the daily mark-to-market obligation under the derivatives contract and may be reduced by amounts on deposit with the applicable broker or counterparty to the derivatives transaction. In certain circumstances, a Portfolio may enter into an offsetting position rather than earmarking or segregating liquid assets. A Portfolio may modify its asset segregation and coverage policies from time to time. Although earmarking or segregating may in certain cases have the effect of limiting a Portfolios ability to engage in derivatives transactions, the extent of any such limitation will depend on a variety of factors, including the method by which the Portfolio determines the nature and amount of assets to be earmarked or segregated.
Auction Rate Securities
The Portfolios, except for the except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, may invest in auction rate municipal securities, which permit the holder to sell the securities in an auction at par value at specified intervals. The dividend or interest is typically reset by Dutch auction in which bids are made by broker-dealers and other institutions for a certain amount of securities at a specified minimum yield. The rate set by the auction is the lowest interest or dividend rate that covers all securities offered for sale. While this process is designed to permit auction rate securities to be traded at par value, there is the risk that an auction will fail due to insufficient demand for the securities. A Portfolio will take the time remaining until the next scheduled auction date into account for purposes of determining the securities duration.
Bonds
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, may invest a portion of their assets in bonds. A bond is an interest-bearing security issued by a company, governmental unit or, in some cases, a non-U.S. entity. The issuer of a bond has a contractual obligation to pay interest at a stated rate on specific dates and to repay principal (the bonds face value) periodically or on a specified maturity date; provided, however, a zero coupon bond pays no interest to its holder during its life. The value of a zero coupon bond to a Portfolio consists of the difference between such bonds face value at the time of maturity and the price for which it was acquired, which may be an amount significantly less than its face value (sometimes referred to as a deep discount price).
An issuer may have the right to redeem or call a bond before maturity, in which case the investor may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower market rates. Most bonds bear interest income at a coupon rate that is fixed for the life of the bond. The value of a fixed rate bond usually rises when market interest rates fall, and falls when market interest rates rise. Accordingly, a fixed rate bonds yield (income as a percent of the bonds current value) may differ from its coupon rate as its value rises or falls. Fixed rate bonds generally are also subject to inflation risk, which is the risk that the value of the bond or income from the bond will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. This could mean that, as inflation increases, the real value of the assets of a Portfolio holding fixed rate bonds can decline, as can the value of the Portfolios distributions. Other types of bonds bear income at an interest rate that is adjusted periodically. Because of their adjustable interest rates, the value of floating-rate or variable-rate bonds fluctuates much less in response to market interest rate movements than the value of fixed rate bonds. A Portfolio may treat some of these bonds as having a shorter maturity for purposes of calculating the weighted average maturity of its investment portfolio. Bonds may be senior or subordinated obligations. Senior obligations generally have the first claim on a corporations earnings and assets and, in the event of liquidation, are paid before subordinated obligations. Bonds may be unsecured (backed only by the issuers general creditworthiness) or secured (also backed by specified collateral).
The investment return of corporate bonds reflects interest on the bond and changes in the market value of the bond. The market value of a corporate bond may be affected by the credit rating of the corporation, the corporations performance and perceptions of the corporation in the market place. There is a risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by such a security.
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Cash Reserves
Each Portfolio may hold portions of its assets in short-term debt instruments with remaining maturities of 397 days or less pending investment or to meet anticipated redemptions and day-to-day operating expenses. Short-term debt instruments consist of: (i) short-term obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political subdivisions; (ii) other short-term debt securities rated at the time of purchase Aa or higher by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) or AA or higher by S&P or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the Adviser or SSGA FM); (iii) commercial paper; (iv) bank obligations, including negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers acceptances; and (v) repurchase agreements. At the time an Index Portfolio invests in commercial paper, bank obligations or repurchase agreements, the issuer or the issuers parent must have outstanding debt rated Aa or higher by Moodys or AA or higher by S&P or outstanding commercial paper or bank obligations rated Prime-1 by Moodys or A-1 by S&P; or, if no such ratings are available, the instrument must be of comparable quality in the opinion of the Adviser. To the extent that an Index Portfolio holds the foregoing instruments its ability to track its corresponding Index may be adversely affected. See Appendix A for more information on the ratings of debt instruments.
Cleared Derivatives Transactions
Under recently adopted rules and regulations, transactions in some types of swaps are required to be centrally cleared. In a cleared derivatives transaction, a Portfolios counterparty to the transaction is a central derivatives clearing organization, or clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Because the Portfolios are not members of a clearing house, and only members of a clearing house can participate directly in the clearing house, the Portfolios hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives transactions, a Portfolio 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 a Portfolio than bilateral (non-cleared) arrangements. For example, a Portfolio 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 a Portfolio, 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. A Portfolio is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or which the Adviser expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on a Portfolios behalf. In that case, the transaction might have to be terminated, and a Portfolio 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 a Portfolio and clearing members is drafted by the clearing members and generally is less favorable to a Portfolio than typical bilateral derivatives documentation.
These clearing rules and other new rules and regulations could, among other things, restrict a Portfolios ability to engage in, or increase the cost to a Portfolio of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Portfolio, 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 Portfolios and the financial system are not yet known.
Commodities
General . The Portfolios, except for the Cash Portfolios, may invest in commodities. There are several additional risks associated with transactions in commodity futures contracts, swaps on commodity futures contracts, commodity forward contracts and other commodities instruments. In the commodity instruments markets, producers of the underlying commodity may decide to hedge the price risk of selling the commodity by selling commodity instruments today to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery tomorrow. In order to induce speculators to purchase the other side of the same commodity instrument, the commodity producer generally must sell the commodity instrument at a lower price than the expected future spot price. Conversely, if most hedgers in the commodity instruments market are purchasing commodity instruments to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only sell the other side of the commodity instrument at a higher future price than the expected future spot price of the commodity. The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodity markets will influence whether futures prices are above or below the expected future spot price, which can have significant implications for the Portfolios. If the nature of hedgers and speculators in commodity instruments markets has shifted when it is time for a Portfolio to reinvest the proceeds of a maturing contract in a new commodity instrument, the Portfolio might reinvest at a higher or lower future price, or choose to pursue other investments. The commodities which underlie commodity instruments may be subject to additional economic and non-economic variables, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments. These factors may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked instruments than on traditional securities. Certain commodities are also subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors. Others are subject to broad price fluctuations
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as a result of the volatility of the prices for certain raw materials and the instability of supplies of other materials. These additional variables may create additional investment risks which subject a Portfolios or the Subsidiarys investments to greater volatility than other investments. Also, unlike the financial instruments markets, in the commodity instruments markets there are costs of physical storage associated with purchasing the underlying commodity. The price of the commodity instruments contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity, including the time value of money invested in the physical commodity. To the extent that the storage costs for an underlying commodity change while a Portfolio or the Subsidiary is invested in instruments on that commodity, the value of the commodity instrument may change proportionately.
A Portfolios ability to invest in commodities and commodity-related investments is limited by tax considerations and could bear on the ability of a Portfolio to qualify as a regulated investment company (RIC). See Taxes below.
Commodity-Linked Investments . The Portfolios, except for the Cash Portfolios, may invest in commodity-linked investments. The Portfolios may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through commodity-linked derivative securities, such as structured notes, discussed below, which are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in physical commodities or commodities futures contracts. Real assets are assets such as oil, gas, industrial and precious metals, livestock, and agricultural or meat products, or other items that have tangible properties, as compared to stocks or bonds, which are financial instruments. In choosing investments, the Adviser seeks to provide exposure to various commodities and commodity sectors. The value of commodity-linked derivative securities held by a Portfolio may be affected by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, overall market movements and other factors affecting the value of particular industries or commodities, such as weather, disease, embargoes, acts of war or terrorism, or political and regulatory developments.
The prices of commodity-linked derivative securities may move in different directions than investments in traditional equity and debt securities when the value of those traditional securities is declining due to adverse economic conditions. As an example, during periods of rising inflation, debt securities have historically tended to decline in value due to the general increase in prevailing interest rates. Conversely, during those same periods of rising inflation, the prices of certain commodities, such as oil and metals, have historically tended to increase. Of course, there cannot be any guarantee that these investments will perform in that manner in the future, and at certain times the price movements of commodity-linked instruments have been parallel to those of debt and equity securities. Commodities have historically tended to increase and decrease in value during different parts of the business cycle than financial assets. Nevertheless, at various times, commodities prices may move in tandem with the prices of financial assets and thus may not provide overall portfolio diversification benefits. Under favorable economic conditions, a Portfolios investments may be expected to underperform an investment in traditional securities. Over the long term, the returns on the Portfolios investments are expected to exhibit low or negative correlation with stocks and bonds.
Because commodity-linked investments are available from a relatively small number of issuers, a Portfolios investments will be particularly subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the commodity-linked derivative (which issuer may also serve as counterparty to a substantial number of the Portfolios commodity-linked and other derivative investments) will not fulfill its contractual obligations.
A Portfolios ability to invest in commodity-linked investments is limited by tax considerations and could bear on the ability of a Portfolio to qualify as a RIC. See Taxes below.
Commodities Wholly-Owned Subsidiary . The Strategic Real Return Portfolio has established a wholly-owned subsidiary organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands that will make commodity-related investments. The Subsidiary may invest principally in commodities and commodity-linked investments, including futures, options and possibly swap contracts, as well as certain fixed-income investments intended to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiarys derivatives positions. By investing in the Subsidiary, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio will be exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiarys commodity-related investments.
While the Subsidiary may be considered similar to an investment company, it is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and is not directly subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act and other U.S. regulations. Changes in the laws of the U.S. or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Strategic Real Return Portfolio or the Subsidiary to operate as intended or may subject the Strategic Real Return Portfolio or its advisor to new or additional regulatory requirements, and could negatively affect the Portfolio and its shareholders.
In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio must, among other things, satisfy several diversification requirements, including the requirement that not more than 25% of
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the value of the Portfolios total assets may be invested, including through corporations in which the Portfolio owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Portfolio controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses. Therefore, so long as the Portfolio is subject to this limit, the Portfolio may not invest any more than 25% of the value of its assets in the Subsidiary.
Furthermore, the Portfolio must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its income from certain specified sources (qualifying income). Income from commodities and certain commodity-linked derivatives would not constitute qualifying income to the Portfolio. The tax treatment of commodity-linked notes and certain other derivative instruments in which the Portfolio might invest is not certain, in particular with respect to whether income and gains from such instruments constitutes qualifying income. If the Portfolio treats income from a particular instrument as qualifying income and the income is later determined not to constitute qualifying income, and, together with any other nonqualifying income, causes the Portfolios nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Portfolio will fail to qualify as a RIC unless it is eligible to and does cure such failure, including by paying a tax at the Portfolio level and possibly by disposing of certain assets.
The Portfolios ability to invest in the Subsidiary and commodity-related investments is limited by tax considerations. See Taxes below.
Credit Default Swaps
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio and the Cash Portfolios, may enter into credit default swap transactions. A credit default swap is an agreement between the Portfolio and a counterparty that enables the Portfolio to buy or sell protection against a credit event related to a specified issuer. One party, acting as a protection buyer, make periodic payments to the other party, a protection seller, in exchange for a promise by the protection seller to make a payment to the protection buyer if a negative credit event (such as a delinquent payment or default) occurs with respect to a referenced bond or group of bonds. Acting as a protection seller allows the Portfolio to create an investment exposure similar to owning a bond. Acting as a protection buyer allows the Portfolio potentially to reduce its credit exposure to a bond it owns or to take a short position in a bond it does not own.
As the protection buyer in a credit default swap, a Portfolio may pay a premium (by means of periodic payments) in return for the right to deliver specified bonds or loans (such as those of a U.S. or foreign issuer or a basket of such issuers) to the protection seller and receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value upon default (or similar events) by the reference issuer. If no default occurs, the protection seller would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligations to the Portfolio. As the protection buyer, the Portfolio bears the risk that the investment might expire worthless and/or that the protection seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Portfolio in the event of a default (or similar event). In addition, when a Portfolio is a protection buyer, the Portfolios investment would only generate income in the event of an actual default (or similar event) by the issuer of the underlying reference obligation.
A Portfolio may also use credit default swaps for investment purposes by selling a credit default swap, in which case, the Portfolio would be required to pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the protection buyer in the event of a default (or similar event) by the third-party reference issuer. In return for its obligation, the Portfolio would receive from the protection buyer a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract. If no credit event occurs, the Portfolio would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, a Portfolio effectively adds economic leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Portfolio is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
The use of credit default swaps, like all swap agreements, is subject to certain risks, such as counterparty risk, leverage risk, hedging risk, correlation risk and liquidity risk. A Portfolio will enter into a credit default swap only with counterparties that the Adviser determines to meet certain standards of creditworthiness. If a counterpartys creditworthiness declines, the value of the swap would likely decline because of the heightened risk that the counterparty may be unable to satisfy its payment obligations (particularly if the counterparty was the protection seller under the credit default swap contract). In addition, there is no guarantee that a Portfolio can eliminate its exposure under an outstanding swap agreement by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same or another party.
A Portfolios exposure under a credit default swap may be considered leverage and as such be subject to the restrictions on leveraged derivatives.
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Custodial Risk
There are risks involved in dealing with the custodians or brokers who hold a Portfolios investments or settle a Portfolios trades. It is possible that, in the event of the insolvency or bankruptcy of a custodian or broker, a Portfolio would be delayed or prevented from recovering its assets from the custodian or broker, or its estate, and may have only a general unsecured claim against the custodian or broker for those assets. In recent insolvencies of brokers or other financial institutions, the ability of certain customers to recover their assets from the insolvents estate has been delayed, limited, or prevented, often unpredictably, and there is no assurance that any assets held by a Portfolio with a custodian or broker will be readily recoverable by the Portfolio. In addition, there may be limited recourse against non-U.S. sub-custodians in those situations in which a Portfolio invests in markets where custodial and/or settlement systems and regulations are not fully developed, including emerging markets, and the assets of the Portfolio have been entrusted to such sub-custodians. SSGA FM or an affiliate may serve as the custodian of the Portfolios.
Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit (ECDs), Eurodollar Time Deposits (ETDs) and Yankee Certificates of Deposit (YCDs)
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, may invest in ECDs, ETDs and YCDs. ECDs and ETDs are U.S. dollar denominated certificates of deposit issued by non-U.S. branches of domestic banks and non-U.S. banks. YCDs are U.S. dollar denominated certificates of deposit issued by U.S. branches of non-U.S. banks.
Different risks than those associated with the obligations of domestic banks may exist for ECDs, ETDs and YCDs because the banks issuing these instruments, or their domestic or non-U.S. branches, are not necessarily subject to the same regulatory requirements that apply to domestic banks, such as loan limitations, examinations and reserve, accounting, auditing, recordkeeping and public reporting requirements. Obligations of non-U.S. issuers also involve risks such as future unfavorable political and economic developments, withholding or other taxes, seizures of non-U.S. deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, and other governmental restrictions that might affect repayment of principal or payment of interest, or the ability to honor a credit commitment.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio and the Cash Portfolios, may enter into a variety of different foreign currency transactions, including, by way of example, currency forward transactions, spot transactions, futures and forward contracts, swaps, or options. Most of these transactions are entered into over the counter, and a Portfolio assumes the risk that the counterparty may be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations, in addition to the risk of unfavorable or unanticipated changes in the values of the currencies underlying the transactions. Over-the-counter currency transactions are typically uncollateralized, and a Portfolio may not be able to recover all or any of on the assets owed to it under such transactions if its counterparty should default. Many types of currency transactions are expected to continue to be traded over the counter even after implementation of the clearing requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. In some markets or in respect of certain currencies, a Portfolio may be required, or agree, in SSGA FMs discretion, to enter into foreign currency transactions via the custodians relevant sub-custodian. SSGA FM may be subject to a conflict of interest in agreeing to any such arrangements on behalf of the Portfolio. Such transactions executed directly with the sub-custodian are executed at a rate determined solely by such sub-custodian. Accordingly, a Portfolio may not receive the best pricing of such currency transactions. Recent regulatory changes in a number of jurisdictions may require that certain currency transactions be subject to central clearing, or be subject to new or increased collateral requirements. These changes could increase the costs of currency transactions to a Portfolio and may make certain transactions unavailable; they may also increase the credit risk of such transactions to a Portfolio.
Foreign Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Cash Portfolios, are permitted to invest in foreign securities. Foreign securities include securities of foreign companies and foreign governments (or agencies or subdivisions thereof). If a Portfolios securities are held abroad, the countries in which such securities may be held and the sub-custodian holding them must be approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board of Trustees or the Board) or its delegate under applicable rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In buying foreign securities, a Portfolio may convert U.S. dollars into foreign currency, but only to effect securities transactions on foreign securities exchanges and not to hold such currency as an investment.
The globalization and integration of the world economic system and related financial markets have made it increasingly difficult to define issuers geographically. Accordingly, each Portfolio intends to construe geographic terms such as foreign, non-U.S. European, Latin American, and Asian, in the manner that affords to the Portfolio the greatest flexibility in
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seeking to achieve its investment objective(s). Specifically, in circumstances where the investment objective and/or strategy is to invest at least some percentage of a Portfolios assets in foreign securities, etc., the Portfolios will take the view that a security meets this description so long as the issuer of a security is tied economically to the particular country or geographic region indicated by words of the relevant investment objective and/or strategy (the Relevant Language). For these purposes the issuer of a security is deemed to have that tie if:
(i) | The issuer is organized under the laws of the country or a country within the geographic region suggested by the Relevant Language or maintains its principal place of business in that country or region; or |
(ii) | The securities are traded principally in the country or region suggested by the Relevant Language; or |
(iii) | The issuer, during its most recent fiscal year, derived at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in the country or region suggested by the Relevant Language or has at least 50% of its assets in that country or region. |
In addition, the Portfolios intend to treat derivative securities (e.g., call options) by reference to the underlying security. Conversely, if the investment objective and/or strategy of a Portfolio limits the percentage of assets that may be invested in foreign securities, etc. or prohibits such investments altogether, the Portfolios intend to categorize securities as foreign, etc. only if the security possesses all of the attributes described above in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii).
Investments in foreign securities involve special risks and considerations. As foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. For example, foreign markets have different clearance and settlement procedures. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of the Portfolios are uninvested. The inability of a Portfolio to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause it to miss certain investment opportunities. They may also entail certain other risks, such as the possibility of one or more of the following: imposition of dividend or interest withholding or other taxes or confiscatory taxes, higher brokerage costs, thinner trading markets, currency blockages or transfer restrictions, expropriation, nationalization, military coups or other adverse political or economic developments; less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies; and the difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries. Purchases of foreign securities are usually made in foreign currencies and, as a result, a Portfolio may incur currency conversion costs and may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in the value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. Further, it may be more difficult for the Portfolios agents to keep currently informed about corporate actions which may affect the prices of portfolio securities. Communications between the United States and foreign countries may be less reliable than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Certain markets may require payment for securities before delivery. Each Portfolios ability and decisions to purchase and sell portfolio securities may be affected by laws or regulations relating to the convertibility of currencies and repatriation of assets.
A number of current significant political, demographic and economic developments may affect investments in foreign securities and in securities of companies with operations overseas. Such developments include dramatic political changes in government and economic policies in several Eastern European countries and the republics composing the former Soviet Union, as well as the unification of the European Economic Community. The course of any one or more of these events and the effect on trade barriers, competition and markets for consumer goods and services are uncertain. Similar considerations are of concern with respect to developing countries. For example, the possibility of revolution and the dependence on foreign economic assistance may be greater in these countries than in developed countries. Management seeks to mitigate the risks associated with these considerations through diversification and active professional management.
Forward Commitments
Each Portfolio may enter into contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time (forward commitments), consistent with the Portfolios ability to manage its investment portfolio and meet redemption requests. Forward commitments may be considered securities in themselves, and involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, which risk is in addition to the risk of decline in the value of a Portfolios other assets. Where such purchases are made through dealers, a Portfolio relies on the dealer to consummate the sale. The dealers failure to do so may result in the loss to a Portfolio of an advantageous yield or price.
Although a Portfolio will generally enter into forward commitments with the intention of acquiring securities for its portfolio or for delivery pursuant to options contracts it has entered into, the Portfolio may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. A Portfolio may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of forward commitments. When effecting such transactions, cash or other liquid assets (such as liquid high quality debt obligations) held
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by a Portfolio of a dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the portfolio securities to be purchased will be segregated on the Portfolios records at the trade date and maintained until the transaction is settled. Such segregated assets will be marked to market on a daily basis, and if the market value of such assets declines, additional cash or assets will be segregated so that the market value of the segregated assets will equal the amount of such Portfolios obligations. Forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, or if the other party fails to complete the transaction.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures
Each Portfolio, except for the Cash Portfolios, may enter into futures contracts on securities in which it may invest or on indices comprised of such securities and may purchase and write call and put options on such contracts.
Futures contracts. A financial futures contract is a contract to buy or sell a specified quantity of financial instruments such as U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. An index futures contract is a contract to buy or sell specified units of an index at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. The value of a unit is based on the current value of the index. Under such contracts no delivery of the actual securities making up the index takes place. Rather, upon expiration of the contract, settlement is made by exchanging cash in an amount equal to the difference between the contract price and the closing price of the index at expiration, net of variation margin previously paid. Futures contracts are traded in the United States only on commodity exchanges or boards of trade known as contract markets approved for such trading by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC), and must be executed through a futures commission merchant or brokerage firm which is a member of the relevant contract market.
Although many futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of commodities or securities, in most cases the contracts are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery, but rather by entering into an offsetting contract (a closing transaction). Upon entering into a futures contract, a Portfolio is required to deposit an initial margin with the futures broker. The initial margin serves as a good faith deposit that a Portfolio will honor its futures commitments. Subsequent payments (called variation margin or maintenance margin) to and from the broker are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying security or commodity fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking to the market. If a Portfolio is unable to enter into a closing transaction, the amount of the Portfolios potential loss may be unlimited. Futures contracts also involve brokerage costs.
Each Portfolio will not commit more than 5% of the market value of its total assets to initial margin deposits on futures and premiums paid for options on futures.
Registration under the Commodity Exchange Act.
The Portfolios, except for the Strategic Real Return Portfolio, are operated by persons who have claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator with respect to the Portfolios (other than the Strategic Real Return Portfolio) under the Commodity Exchange Act (the CEA), and therefore, are not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. As a result, the Portfolios (other than the Strategic Real Return Portfolio) are limited in their ability to trade instruments subject to the CFTCs jurisdiction, including commodity futures (which include futures on broad-based securities indexes, interest rate futures and currency futures), options on commodity futures, certain swaps or other investments (whether directly or indirectly through investments in other investment vehicles).
Under this exclusion, a Portfolio must satisfy one of the following two trading limitations whenever it enters into a new commodity trading position: (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the Portfolios positions in CFTC-regulated instruments may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Portfolios portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Portfolios portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). A Portfolio would not be required to consider its exposure to such instruments if they were held for bona fide hedging purposes, as such term is defined in the rules of the CFTC. In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, a Portfolio may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the markets for CFTC-regulated instruments.
The Strategic Real Return Portfolio is a commodity pool under the CEA and the Adviser is registered as a commodity pool operator and commodity trading advisor under the CEA with respect to the Portfolio. As a result, additional CFTC-mandated disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping obligations apply with respect to the Portfolio. Compliance with the CFTCs regulatory requirements could increase Portfolio expenses, adversely affecting the Portfolios total return.
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Options on futures contracts . In return for the premium paid, options on futures contracts give the purchaser the right to assume a position in a futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Options on futures are similar to options on securities except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writers futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to its expiration date, the settlement will be made entirely in cash. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.
As with options on securities, the holder or writer of an option may terminate his position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.
A Portfolio will be required to deposit initial margin and maintenance margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it pursuant to brokers requirements similar to those described above in connection with the discussion of futures contracts.
Risks of transactions in futures contracts and related options . Successful use of futures contracts by a Portfolio is subject to the Advisers ability to predict movements in various factors affecting financial markets. Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of call or put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to a Portfolio because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss to a Portfolio when the purchase or sale of a futures contract would not, such as when there is no movement in the prices of the hedged investments. The writing of an option on a futures contract involves risks similar to those risks relating to the sale of futures contracts.
The use of options and futures strategies involves the risk of imperfect correlation among movements in the prices of the securities underlying the futures and options purchased and sold by the Portfolio, of the options and futures contracts themselves, and, in the case of hedging transactions, of the securities which are the subject of a hedge. The successful use of these strategies further depends on the ability of the Adviser to forecast interest rates and market movements correctly.
There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain market clearing facilities inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by exchanges of special procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of customer orders.
To reduce or eliminate a position held by a Portfolio, the Portfolio may seek to close out such a position. The ability to establish and close out positions will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It is not certain that this market will develop or continue to exist for a particular futures contract or option. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain contracts or options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of contracts or options, or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of contracts or options (or a particular class or series of contracts or options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange for such contracts or options (or in the class or series of contracts or options) would cease to exist, although outstanding contracts or options on the exchange that had been issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would likely continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and options . Some U.S. Treasury security futures contracts require the seller to deliver, or the purchaser to take delivery of, the type of U.S. Treasury security called for in the contract at a specified date and price; others may be settled in cash. Options on U.S. Treasury security futures contracts give the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a U.S. Treasury security futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any time during the period of the option.
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Successful use of U.S. Treasury security futures contracts by a Portfolio is subject to the Advisers ability to predict movements in the direction of interest rates and other factors affecting markets for debt securities. For example, if a Portfolio has sold U.S. Treasury security futures contracts in order to hedge against the possibility of an increase in interest rates which would adversely affect the values of securities held in its portfolio, and the prices of the Portfolios securities increase instead as a result of a decline in interest rates, the Portfolio will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Portfolio has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily maintenance margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
There is also a risk that price movements in U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and related options will not correlate closely with price movements in markets for particular securities. For example, if a Portfolio has hedged against a decline in the values of tax-exempt securities held by it by selling Treasury security futures and the values of Treasury securities subsequently increase while the values of the Portfolios tax-exempt securities decrease, the Portfolio would incur losses on both the Treasury security futures contracts written by it and the tax-exempt securities held in its portfolio.
Government Mortgage-Related Securities
The Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) (also known as Ginnie Mae) is the principal federal government guarantor of mortgage-related securities. GNMA is a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It guarantees, with the full faith and credit of the United States, full and timely payment of all monthly principal and interest on its mortgage-related securities. GNMA pass-through securities are considered to have a relatively low risk of default in that (1) the underlying mortgage loan portfolio is comprised entirely of government-backed loans and (2) the timely payment of both principal and interest on the securities is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, regardless of whether they have been collected. GNMA pass-through securities are, however, subject to the same interest rate risk as comparable privately issued mortgage-related securities. Therefore, the effective maturity and market value of a Portfolios GNMA securities can be expected to fluctuate in response to changes in interest rate levels.
Residential mortgage loans are also pooled by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) (also known as Freddie Mac), a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government. The mortgage loans in FHLMCs portfolio are not government backed; FHLMC, not the U.S. Government, guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal on FHLMC securities. FHLMC also issues guaranteed mortgage certificates, on which it guarantees semiannual interest payments and a specified minimum annual payment of principal.
The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) (also known as Fannie Mae) is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers, which include savings and loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest only by FNMA, not the U.S. Government.
High Yield Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio and the Cash Portfolios, may invest a portion of their assets in high yield debt securities (commonly known as junk bonds). Investment in high yield securities generally provides greater income and increased opportunity for capital appreciation than investments in higher quality securities, but they also typically entail greater price volatility and credit risk. These high yield securities are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuers continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of debt securities that are high yield may be more complex than for issuers of higher quality debt securities. In addition, high yield securities are often issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted) firms, but can also be issued by governments. Such issuers are generally less able than more financially stable issuers to make scheduled payments of interest and principal. The risks posed by securities issued under such circumstances are substantial.
Investing in high yield debt securities involves risks that are greater than the risks of investing in higher quality debt securities. These risks include: (i) changes in credit status, including weaker overall credit conditions of issuers and risks of default; (ii) industry, market and economic risk; and (iii) greater price variability and credit risks of certain high yield securities such as zero coupon and payment-in-kind securities. While these risks provide the opportunity for maximizing return over time, they may result in greater volatility of the value of a Portfolio than a fund that invests in higher-rated securities.
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Furthermore, the value of high yield securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic, company or industry conditions than is the case for higher quality securities. The market values of certain of these lower-rated and unrated debt securities tend to reflect individual issuer developments to a greater extent than do higher-rated securities which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates, and tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher-rated securities. Adverse market, credit or economic conditions could make it difficult at certain times to sell certain high yield securities held by a Portfolio.
The secondary market on which high yield securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for higher grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading market could adversely affect the price at which a Portfolio could sell a high yield security, and could adversely affect the daily net asset value per share of a Portfolio. When secondary markets for high yield securities are less liquid than the market for higher grade securities, it may be more difficult to value the securities because there is less reliable, objective data available. However, an Index seeks to include primarily high yield securities that the Index provider believes have greater liquidity than the broader high yield securities market as a whole.
The use of credit ratings as a principal method of selecting high yield securities can involve certain risks. For example, credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of high yield securities. Also, credit rating agencies may fail to change credit ratings in a timely fashion to reflect events since the security was last rated.
Illiquid Securities
Each Portfolio may invest in illiquid securities. Each Portfolio will invest no more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities or securities that are not readily marketable, including repurchase agreements and time deposits of more than seven days duration. The absence of a regular trading market for illiquid securities imposes additional risks on investments in these securities. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value and may often be disposed of only after considerable expense and delay.
Each Money Market Portfolio is managed in accordance with Rule 2a-7 under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act). As a result, each Money Market Portfolio has adopted the following liquidity policies (except as noted):
1. | The Portfolio may not purchase an illiquid security if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio would have invested more than 5% of its total assets in illiquid securities (securities that cannot be sold or disposed of in the ordinary course of business within seven days at approximately the market value ascribed to them by the Portfolio); |
2. | The Portfolio may not purchase a security other than a security offering daily liquidity if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio would have invested less than 10% of its total assets in securities offering daily liquidity (includes securities that mature or are subject to demand within one business day, cash or direct U.S. Government obligations); and |
3. | The Portfolio may not purchase a security other than a security offering weekly liquidity if, immediately after purchase, the Portfolio would have invested less than 30% of its total assets in securities offering weekly liquidity (includes securities that mature or are subject to demand within five business days, cash, direct U.S. Government obligations and Government agency discount notes with remaining maturities of 60 days or less). |
Industrial Development and Private Activity Bonds (Cash Portfolios only)
Industrial development bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; ports and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. The principal security for these bonds is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue sources. Although the principal security behind these bonds may vary, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose money may be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuers obligations. Some authorities provide further security in the form of a states ability without obligation to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.
Private activity bonds are considered municipal securities if the interest paid thereon is exempt from federal income tax and are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports, mass transit systems, ports and parking. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facilitys user to meet its financial obligations and the value of any real or personal property pledged as security for such payment. Interest income on these bonds may be an item of tax preference subject to federal alternative minimum tax for individuals and corporations.
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Insured Municipal Securities (Cash Portfolios only)
Insured municipal securities are those for which scheduled payments of interest and principal are guaranteed by a private (non-governmental) insurance company. The insurance entitles a fund to receive only the face or par value of the securities held by the fund, but the ability to be paid is limited to the claims paying ability of the insurer. The insurance does not guarantee the market value of the municipal securities or the net asset value of a funds shares. Insurers are selected based upon the diversification of its portfolio and the strength of the management team which contributes to the claims paying ability of the entity. However, the Adviser selects securities based upon the underlying credit with bond insurance viewed as an enhancement only. The Advisers objective is to have an enhancement that provides additional liquidity to insulate against volatility in changing markets.
Interest Rate Environment Risk
In the wake of the financial crisis that began in 2007, the Federal Reserve System attempted to stabilize the U.S. economy and support the U.S. economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate at or near zero percent. In addition, the Federal Reserve has purchased large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities on the open market (the quantitative easing program). As a result, the United States is experiencing historically low interest rate levels. A low interest rate environment may have an adverse impact on a Portfolios ability to provide a positive yield to its shareholders and pay expenses out of Portfolio assets because of the low yields from the Portfolios portfolio investments.
However, continued economic recovery and the cessation of the quantitative easing program increase the risk that interest rates will rise in the near future and that the Portfolios will face a heightened level of interest rate risk. Federal Reserve policy changes may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility and may reduce liquidity for certain Portfolio investments, which could cause the value of a Portfolios investments and a Portfolios share price to decline or create difficulties for the Portfolio in disposing of investments. A Portfolio that invests in derivatives tied to fixed-income markets may be more substantially exposed to these risks than a fund that does not invest in derivatives. A Portfolio could also be forced to liquidate its investments at disadvantageous times or prices, thereby adversely affecting the Portfolio. To the extent a Portfolio experiences high redemptions because of these policy changes, the Portfolio may experience increased portfolio turnover, which will increase the costs that the Portfolio incurs and lower the Portfolios performance.
Investment Grade Bonds
The Portfolios may invest in corporate notes and bonds that are rated investment-grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) or, if unrated, are of comparable quality to the rated securities described above, as determined by the Adviser, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees. Investment-grade securities include securities rated Baa or higher by Moodys or BBB- or higher by S&P (and securities of comparable quality); securities rated Baa or BBB may have speculative characteristics.
Lending of Portfolio Securities
Each Portfolio, except for the Cash Portfolios, may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations in amounts up to 25% of the total value of its assets. Any such loan must be continuously secured by collateral in cash or cash equivalents maintained on a current basis in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned by a Portfolio. A Portfolio would continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned, and would receive an additional return that may be in the form of a fixed fee or a percentage of the collateral. A Portfolio would have the right to call the loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice of not more than five business days. In the event of bankruptcy or other default of the borrower, a Portfolio could experience both delays in liquidating the loan collateral or recovering the loaned securities and losses including (a) possible decline in the value of collateral or in the value of the securities loaned during the period while the Portfolio seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) possible sub-normal levels of income and lack of access to income during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights. A Portfolios securities lending agent may be an affiliate of the Adviser, and would be compensated by the Portfolio for its services.
Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk
The Portfolios, except for the Cash Portfolios, are subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. War, terrorism, and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters and systemic market dislocations may be highly disruptive
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to economies and markets. Those events as well as other changes in non-U.S. and domestic economic and political conditions also could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of a Portfolios investments. Given the increasing interdependence between global economies and markets, conditions in one country, market, or region might adversely impact markets, issuers and/or foreign exchange rates in other countries, including the U.S. Continuing uncertainty as to the status of the Euro and the European Monetary Union (the EMU) has created significant volatility in currency and financial markets generally. Any partial or complete dissolution of the EMU, or any continued uncertainty as to its status, could have significant adverse effects on currency and financial markets, and on the values of a Portfolios investments.
Securities markets may be susceptible to market manipulation (e.g., the potential manipulation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)) or other fraudulent trade practices, which could disrupt the orderly functioning of these markets or adversely affect the value of investments traded in these markets, including investments of a Portfolio.
Recent political activity in the U.S. has increased the risk that the U.S. could default on some or any of its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the U.S. would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the Portfolios investments. Similarly, political events within the U.S. at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many Portfolio investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. or other securities markets.
To the extent a Portfolio has focused its investments in the stock market index of a particular region, adverse geopolitical and other events could have a disproportionate impact on the Portfolio.
Mortgage-Backed Security Rolls
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio and the Cash Portfolios, may enter into forward roll transactions with respect to mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC. In a forward roll transaction, a Portfolio will sell a mortgage-related security to a bank or other permitted entity and simultaneously agree to repurchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an agreed upon price. The mortgage securities that are repurchased will typically bear the same interest rate as those sold, but generally will be collateralized by different pools of mortgages with different prepayment histories than those sold. A Portfolio that engages in a forward roll transaction forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities sold during the roll period, but is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase. In addition, a Portfolio earns interest by investing the transaction proceeds during the roll period. A forward roll transaction may create investment leverage. A Portfolio is subject to the risk that the value of securities to be purchased pursuant to a forward roll transaction will decline over the roll period, and that the Portfolios counterparty may be unwilling or unable to perform its obligations to the Portfolio. Upon entering into a mortgage-backed security roll, the participating Portfolio will segregate on its records cash, U.S. Government securities or other high-grade debt securities in an amount sufficient to cover to its obligation under the roll.
Mortgage-Related Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, may invest in mortgage-related securities. Mortgage-related securities represent an interest in a pool of, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Mortgage-related securities may be issued or guaranteed by (i) U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities such as GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC or (ii) other issuers, including private companies.
Many mortgage-related securities provide regular payments which consist of interest and, in most cases, principal. In contrast, other forms of debt securities normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. In effect, payments on many mortgage-related securities are a pass-through of the payments made by the individual borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities.
Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, repayments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans. If property owners make unscheduled prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will typically result in early payment of the applicable mortgage-related securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by a variety of factors including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgage, and other social and demographic conditions. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments tends to increase, thereby tending to decrease the life of mortgage-related securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments usually decreases, thereby tending to increase the life of mortgage-related securities.
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Because of the possibility of prepayments (and due to scheduled repayments of principal), mortgage-related securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of locking in attractive long-term interest rates. Prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Portfolios.
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) may be issued by a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality or by a private issuer. CMOs are typically structured with classes or series that have different maturities and are generally retired in sequence. Each class of obligations receives periodic interest payments according to its terms. However, monthly principal payments and any prepayments from the collateral pool are generally paid first to the holders of the most senior class. Thereafter, payments of principal are generally allocated to the next most senior class of obligations until that class of obligations has been fully repaid. Any or all classes of obligations of a CMO may be paid off sooner than expected because of an increase in the payoff speed of the pool. Changes in prepayment rates may have significant effects on the values and the volatility of the various classes and series of a CMO. Payment of interest or principal on some classes or series of a CMO may be subject to contingencies or some classes or series may bear some or all of the risk of default on the underlying mortgages.
Stripped mortgage-related securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different portions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage loans. The yield to maturity on an interest only or IO class of stripped mortgage-related securities is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets. A rapid rate of principal prepayments may have a measurable adverse effect on a Portfolios yield to maturity to the extent it invests in IOs. If the assets underlying the IO experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, a Portfolio may fail to recoup fully, or at all, its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, principal only securities or POs tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are slower than anticipated. The secondary market for stripped mortgage-related securities may be more volatile and less liquid than that for other mortgage-related securities, potentially limiting a Portfolios ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.
Municipal and Municipal-Related Securities
Municipal securities may bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest or may be zero coupon securities. Municipal securities are generally of two types: general obligations and revenue obligations. General obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuer. These securities include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, general obligation bonds and commercial paper. Revenue obligations are backed by the revenues generated from a specific project or facility and include industrial development bonds and private activity bonds. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance working capital needs of municipalities and are generally issued in anticipation of future tax revenues. Bond anticipation notes are issued in expectation of the issuer obtaining longer-term financing.
Municipal Leases (Cash Portfolios only)
The Portfolio may purchase participation interests in municipal obligations, including municipal lease/purchase agreements. Municipal leases are an undivided interest in a portion of an obligation in the form of a lease or installment purchase issued by a state or local government to acquire equipment or facilities. These instruments may have fixed, floating or variable rates of interest, with remaining maturities of 13 months or less. Certain participation interests may permit a Portfolio to demand payment on not more than seven days notice, for all or any part of the Portfolios interest, plus accrued interest.
Municipal leases frequently have special risks not normally associated with general obligation or revenue bonds. Some leases or contracts include non-appropriation clauses, which provide that the governmental issuer has no obligation to make future payments under the lease or contract unless money is appropriated for such purpose by the appropriate legislative body on a yearly or other periodic basis. To reduce these risks, a Portfolio will only purchase municipal leases subject to a non-appropriation clause when the payment of principal and accrued interest is backed by a letter of credit or guarantee of a bank.
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Whether a municipal lease agreement will be considered illiquid for the purpose of the Portfolios restriction on investments in illiquid securities will be determined in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees.
Options
The Portfolios, except for the Cash Portfolios, may purchase and sell put and call options to enhance investment performance and to protect against changes in market prices. There is no assurance that a Portfolios use of put and call options will achieve its desired objective, and a Portfolios use of options may result in losses to the Portfolio.
Covered call options . A Portfolio may write ( i.e ., sell) covered call options to realize a greater current return through the receipt of premiums than it would realize on its securities alone. Such option transactions may also be used as a limited form of hedging against a decline in the price of securities owned by a Portfolio.
A call option gives the holder the right to purchase, and obligates the writer to sell, a security at the exercise price at any time before the expiration date. A call option is covered if the writer, at all times while obligated as a writer, either owns the underlying securities (or comparable securities satisfying the cover requirements of the securities exchanges), or has the right to acquire such securities through immediate conversion of securities. A Portfolio may write covered call options or uncovered call options.
A Portfolio will receive a premium from writing a call option, which increases the Portfolios return on the underlying security in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. The amount of the premium reflects, among other things, the relationship between the exercise price and the current market value of the underlying security, the volatility of the underlying security, the amount of time remaining until expiration, current interest rates, and the effect of supply and demand in the options market and in the market for the underlying security.
In return for the premium received when it writes a covered call option, a Portfolio gives up some or all of the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the securities covering the call option during the life of the option. A Portfolio retains the risk of loss should the price of such securities decline. If the option expires unexercised, a Portfolio realizes a gain equal to the premium, which may be offset by a decline in price of the underlying security. If the option is exercised, a Portfolio realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the Portfolios cost for the underlying security and the proceeds of sale (exercise price minus commissions) plus the amount of the premium.
A Portfolio may terminate a call option that it has written before it expires by entering into a closing purchase transaction. A Portfolio may enter into closing purchase transactions in order to free itself to sell the underlying security or to write another call on the security, realize a profit on a previously written call option, or protect a security from being called in an unexpected market rise. Any profits from a closing purchase transaction may be offset by a decline in the value of the underlying security. Conversely, because increases in the market price of a call option will generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from a closing purchase transaction is likely to be offset in whole or in part by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security owned by a Portfolio.
Uncovered call options . Writing uncovered call options may enable a Portfolio to realize income without committing capital to the ownership of the underlying securities or instruments; however, writing uncovered calls are riskier than writing covered calls because there is no underlying security held by a Portfolio that can act as a partial hedge. When a Portfolio has written an uncovered call option, the Portfolio will not necessarily hold securities offsetting the risk to the Portfolio. As a result of writing a call option without holding the underlying the securities, if the call option were exercised, a Portfolio might be required to purchase the security that is the subject of the call at the market price at the time of exercise. The Portfolios exposure on such an option is theoretically unlimited. There is also a risk, especially with less liquid preferred and debt securities, that the security may not be available for purchase. Uncovered calls have speculative characteristics.
Covered put options . A Portfolio may write covered put options in order to enhance its current return. Such options transactions may also be used as a limited form of hedging against an increase in the price of securities that the Portfolio plans to purchase. A put option gives the holder the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, a security at the exercise price at any time before the expiration date. A put option may be covered if the writer earmarks or otherwise segregates liquid assets equal to the price to be paid if the option is exercised minus margin on deposit.
By writing a put option, a Portfolio assumes the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying security for an exercise price higher than its then current market value, resulting in a potential capital loss unless the security later appreciates in value.
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A Portfolio may terminate a put option that it has written before it expires by entering into a closing purchase transaction. Any loss from this transaction may be partially or entirely offset by the premium received on the terminated option.
Purchasing put and call options . A Portfolio may also purchase put options to protect portfolio holdings against a decline in market value. This protection lasts for the life of the put option because a Portfolio, as a holder of the option, may sell the underlying security at the exercise price regardless of any decline in its market price. In order for a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs that a Portfolio must pay. These costs will reduce any profit the Portfolio might have realized had it sold the underlying security instead of buying the put option.
A Portfolio may purchase call options to hedge against an increase in the price of securities that the Portfolio wants ultimately to buy. Such hedge protection is provided during the life of the call option since a Portfolio, as holder of the call option, is able to buy the underlying security at the exercise price regardless of any increase in the underlying securitys market price. In order for a call option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. These costs will reduce any profit a Portfolio might have realized had it bought the underlying security at the time it purchased the call option.
A Portfolio may also purchase put and call options to attempt to enhance its current return.
Options on foreign securities . A Portfolio may purchase and sell options on foreign securities if the Adviser believes that the investment characteristics of such options, including the risks of investing in such options, are consistent with the Portfolios investment objective. It is expected that risks related to such options will not differ materially from risks related to options on U.S. securities. However, position limits and other rules of foreign exchanges may differ from those in the United States. In addition, options markets in some countries, many of which are relatively new, may be less liquid than comparable markets in the United States.
Options on securities indices . A Portfolio may write or purchase options on securities indices. Index options are similar to options on individual securities in that the purchaser of an index option acquires the right to buy (in the case of a call) or sell (in the case of a put), and the writer undertakes the obligation to sell or buy (as the case may be), units of an index at a stated exercise price during the term of the option. Instead of the right to take or make actual delivery of securities, the holder of an index option has the right to receive a cash exercise settlement amount. This amount is equal to the amount by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the case of a put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the underlying index on the date of the exercise, multiplied by a fixed index multiplier.
Price movements in securities which a Portfolio owns or intends to purchase probably will not correlate perfectly with movements in the level of a securities index and, therefore, if a Portfolio uses an option for hedging purposes, it bears the risk of a loss on a securities index option which is not completely offset by movements in the price of such securities. Because securities index options are settled in cash, a call writer cannot determine the amount of its settlement obligations in advance and, unlike call writing on a specific security, cannot provide in advance for, or cover, its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding underlying securities. A Portfolio may, however, cover call options written on a securities index by holding a mix of securities which substantially replicate the movement of the index or by holding a call option on the securities index with an exercise price no higher than the call option sold.
Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of call or put options on an index involves less potential risk to a Portfolio because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options plus transactions costs. The writing of a put or call option on an index involves risks similar to those risks relating to the purchase or sale of index futures contracts.
Risks involved in the use of options . The successful use of a Portfolios options strategies depends on the ability of the Adviser to forecast correctly interest rate and market movements. For example, if a Portfolio were to write a call option based on the Advisers expectation that the price of the underlying security would fall, but the price were to rise instead, the Portfolio could be required to sell the security upon exercise at a price below the current market price. Similarly, if a Portfolio were to write a put option based on the Advisers expectation that the price of the underlying security would rise, but the price were to fall instead, the Portfolio could be required to purchase the security upon exercise at a price higher than the current market price.
When a Portfolio purchases an option, it runs the risk that it will lose its entire investment in the option in a relatively short period of time, unless the Portfolio exercises the option or enters into a closing sale transaction before the options expiration. If the price of the underlying security does not rise (in the case of a call) or fall (in the case of a put) to an extent sufficient to
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cover the option premium and transaction costs, a Portfolio will lose part or all of its investment in the option. This contrasts with an investment by a Portfolio in the underlying security, since the Portfolio will not realize a loss if the securitys price does not change.
The effective use of options also depends on a Portfolios ability to terminate option positions at times when the Adviser deems it desirable to do so. There is no assurance that a Portfolio will be able to effect closing transactions at any particular time or at an acceptable price.
If a secondary market in options were to become unavailable, a Portfolio could no longer engage in closing transactions. Lack of investor interest might adversely affect the liquidity of the market for particular options or series of options. A market may discontinue trading of a particular option or options generally. In addition, a market could become temporarily unavailable if unusual events such as volume in excess of trading or clearing capability were to interrupt its normal operations.
A market may at times find it necessary to impose restrictions on particular types of options transactions, such as opening transactions. For example, if an underlying security ceases to meet qualifications imposed by the market or the Options Clearing Corporation, new series of options on that security will no longer be opened to replace expiring series, and opening transactions in existing series may be prohibited. If an options market were to become unavailable, a Portfolio as a holder of an option would be able to realize profits or limit losses only by exercising the option, and the Portfolio, as option writer, would remain obligated under the option until expiration or exercise.
Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying options purchased or sold by a Portfolio could result in losses on the options. If trading is interrupted in an underlying security, the trading of options on that security is normally halted as well. As a result, a Portfolio as purchaser or writer of an option will be unable to close out its positions until options trading resumes, and it may be faced with considerable losses if trading in the security reopens at a substantially different price. In addition, the Options Clearing Corporation or options markets may impose exercise restrictions. If a prohibition on exercise is imposed at the time when trading in the option has also been halted, a Portfolio as purchaser or writer of an option will be locked into its position until one of the two restrictions has been lifted. If the Options Clearing Corporation were to determine that the available supply of an underlying security appears insufficient to permit delivery by the writers of all outstanding calls in the event of exercise, it may prohibit indefinitely the exercise of put options. A Portfolio, as holder of such a put option, could lose its entire investment if the prohibition remained in effect until the put options expiration.
Foreign-traded options are subject to many of the same risks presented by internationally-traded securities. In addition, because of time differences between the United States and various foreign countries, and because different holidays are observed in different countries, foreign options markets may be open for trading during hours or on days when U.S. markets are closed. As a result, option premiums may not reflect the current prices of the underlying interest in the United States.
Over-the-counter (OTC) options purchased by a Portfolio and assets held to cover OTC options written by the Portfolio may, under certain circumstances, be considered illiquid securities for purposes of any limitation on the Portfolios ability to invest in illiquid securities.
Other Asset-Backed Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, may invest in asset-backed securities that are not mortgage-related. Asset-backed securities other than mortgage-related securities represent undivided fractional interests in pools of instruments, such as consumer loans, and are typically similar in structure to mortgage-related pass-through securities. Payments of principal and interest are passed through to holders of the securities and are typically supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, limited guarantee by another entity, or by priority to certain of the borrowers other securities. The degree of credit-enhancement, if any, varies, applying only until exhausted and generally covering only a fraction of the securitys par value.
The value of such asset-backed securities is affected by changes in the markets perception of the asset backing the security, changes in the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the instrument pool, the originator of the instruments, or the financial institution providing any credit enhancement and the expenditure of any portion of any credit enhancement. The risks of investing in asset-backed securities are ultimately dependent upon payment of the underlying instruments by the obligors, and a Portfolio would generally have no recourse against the obligee of the instruments in the event of default by an obligor. The underlying instruments are subject to prepayments which shorten the duration of asset-backed securities and may lower their return, in generally the same manner as described above for prepayments of pools of mortgage loans underlying mortgage-related securities.
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Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities
The interest and principal payments on pre-refunded municipal securities are typically paid from the cash flow generated from an escrow fund consisting of U.S. Government securities. These payments have been pre-refunded using the escrow fund.
Purchase of Other Investment Company Shares
The Portfolios may, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and exemptive rules and orders thereunder, invest in shares of other investment companies, which include funds managed by SSGA FM, which invest exclusively in money market instruments or in investment companies with investment policies and objectives which are substantially similar to those of the Portfolios. These investments may be made temporarily, for example, to invest uncommitted cash balances or, in limited circumstances, to assist in meeting shareholder redemptions.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio and the Cash Portfolios, may invest in REITs. REITs pool investors funds for investment primarily in income producing real estate or real estate loans or interests. A REIT 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. A Portfolio will not invest in real estate directly, but only in securities issued by real estate companies. However, a Portfolio 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 Portfolio 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 REITs under the 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.
Repurchase Agreements
The Portfolios may enter into repurchase agreements with banks and other financial institutions, such as broker-dealers. Under a repurchase agreement, a Portfolio purchases securities from a financial institution that agrees to repurchase the securities at the Portfolios original purchase price plus interest within a specified time (normally one business day). A Portfolio will limit repurchase transactions to those member banks of the Federal Reserve System and broker-dealers whose creditworthiness the Adviser considers satisfactory. Should the counterparty to a transaction fail financially, the Portfolio may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the securities, or may be prevented from realizing on the securities. Further, the amount realized upon the sale of the securities may be less than that necessary to fully compensate the Portfolio.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
The Portfolios may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, a Portfolio sells portfolio securities to a financial institution in return for cash in an amount equal to a percentage of the portfolio securities
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market value and agrees to repurchase the securities at a future date at a prescribed repurchase price equal to the amount of cash originally received plus interest on such amount. A Portfolio retains the right to receive interest and principal payments with respect to the securities while they are in the possession of the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements may create investment leverage and involve the risk that the market value of securities sold by a Portfolio may decline below the price at which it is obligated to repurchase the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve a risk of default by the counterparty, which may adversely affect a Portfolios ability to reacquire the underlying securities.
Section 4(a)(2) Commercial Paper/Rule 144A Securities
Each Portfolio, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, may also invest in commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act) (Section 4(a)(2) paper) or in securities that can be offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act (Rule 144A securities).
Section 4(a)(2) paper is restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws and generally is sold to institutional investors that agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Section 4(a)(2) paper normally is resold to other institutional investors like the Portfolios through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers that make a market in Section 4(a)(2) paper. Rule 144A securities generally must be sold only to other institutional investors.
Section 4(a)(2) paper and Rule 144A securities will not be considered illiquid for purposes of each Portfolios percentage limitations on illiquid securities when the Adviser (pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees) determines that a liquid trading market exists for the securities in question. There can be no assurance that a liquid trading market will exist at any time for any particular Section 4(a)(2) paper or Rule 144A securities.
Tax Exempt Commercial Paper (Cash Portfolios only)
The Portfolio may invest in tax exempt commercial paper. Tax exempt commercial paper is a short-term obligation with a stated maturity of 365 days or less. It is typically issued to finance seasonal working capital needs or as short-term financing in anticipation of longer term financing. Each instrument may be backed only by the credit of the issuer or may be backed by some form of credit enhancement, typically in the form of a guarantee by a commercial bank. Commercial paper backed by guarantees of foreign banks may involve additional risk due to the difficulty of obtaining and enforcing judgments against such banks and the generally less restrictive regulations to which such banks are subject. A Portfolio will only invest in commercial paper rated at the time of purchase not less than Prime-1 by Moodys, A-1 by S&P or F-1 by Fitch Ratings. See Appendix A for more information on the ratings of debt instruments.
Tender Option Bonds (Cash Portfolios only)
A tender option is a municipal obligation (generally held pursuant to a custodial arrangement) having a relatively long maturity and bearing interest at a fixed rate substantially higher than prevailing short-term tax exempt rates, that has been coupled with the agreement of a third party, such as a bank, broker-dealer or other financial institution, pursuant to which such institution grants the security holders the option, at periodic intervals, to tender their securities to the institution and receive the face value thereof. As consideration for providing the option, the financial institution receives periodic fees equal to the difference between the municipal obligations fixed coupon rate and the rate, as determined by a remarketing or similar agent at or near the commencement of such period, that would cause the securities, coupled with the tender option, to trade at par on the date of such determination. Thus, after payment of this fee, the security holder effectively holds a demand obligation that bears interest at the prevailing short-term tax exempt rate. Subject to applicable regulatory requirements, a Portfolio may buy tender option bonds if the agreement gives the Portfolio the right to tender the bond to its sponsor no less frequently than once every 397 days. The Adviser will consider on an ongoing basis the creditworthiness of the issuer of the underlying obligation, any custodian and the third party provider of the tender option. In certain instances and for certain tender option bonds, the option may be terminable in the event of a default in payment of principal or interest on the underlying municipal obligation and for other reasons.
Total Return Swaps, Equity Swaps and Interest Rate Swaps
The Portfolios, except for the Cash Portfolios, may contract with a counterparty to pay a stream of cash flows and receive the total return of an index or a security for purposes of attempting to obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost to a Portfolio than if the Portfolio had invested directly in an instrument that yielded that desired return. A Portfolios return on a swap will depend on the ability of its counterparty to perform its obligations under the swap. The Adviser will cause a Portfolio to enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that would be eligible for consideration as repurchase agreement counterparties under the Portfolios repurchase agreement guidelines.
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A Portfolio may enter into interest rate swap transactions with respect to any security it is entitled to hold. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Portfolio with another party of their respective rights to receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments. The Portfolios expect to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio or to protect against any increase in the price of securities it anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Portfolios intend to use these transactions as a hedge and not as a speculative investment. For example, a Portfolio may enter into an interest rate swap in order to protect against declines in the value of fixed income securities held by the Portfolio. In such an instance, the Portfolio may agree with a counterparty to pay a fixed rate (multiplied by a notional amount) and the counterparty to pay a floating rate multiplied by the same notional amount. If interest rates rise, resulting in a diminution in the value of a Portfolio, the Portfolio would receive payments under the swap that would offset, in whole or in part, such diminution in value; if interest rates fall, the Portfolio would likely lose money on the swap transaction.
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, may invest in Inflation-Protection Securities (IPSs), a type of inflation-indexed Treasury security. IPSs typically provide for semiannual payments of interest and a payment of principal at maturity. In general, each payment will be adjusted to take into account any inflation or deflation that occurs between the issue date of the security and the payment date based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
Each semiannual payment of interest will be determined by multiplying a single fixed rate of interest by the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the security for the date of the interest payment. Thus, although the interest rate will be fixed, the amount of each interest payment will vary with changes in the principal of the security as adjusted for inflation and deflation.
IPSs also provide for an additional payment (a minimum guarantee payment) at maturity if the securitys inflation-adjusted principal amount for the maturity date is less than the securitys principal amount at issuance. The amount of the additional payment will equal the excess of the securitys principal amount at issuance over the securitys inflation-adjusted principal amount for the maturity date.
U.S. Government Securities
The Portfolios may purchase U.S. Government securities. The types of U.S. Government obligations in which the Portfolios may at times invest include: (1) U.S. Treasury obligations and (2) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities which are supported by any of the following: (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, (b) the right of the issuer to borrow an amount limited to a specific line of credit from the U.S. Treasury, (c) discretionary authority of the U.S. Government agency or instrumentality, or (d) the credit of the instrumentality (examples of agencies and instrumentalities are: Federal Land Banks, Federal Housing Administration, Federal Farm Credit Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks, General Services Administration, Maritime Administration, Tennessee Development Bank, Asian-American Development Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Federal National Mortgage Association). No assurance can be given that in the future the U.S. Government will provide financial support to U.S. Government securities it is not obligated to support.
U.S. Registered Securities of Non-U.S. Issuers
The Portfolios, except for the Cash Portfolios, may purchase publicly traded common stocks of non-U.S. 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 non-U.S. countries, and potential restrictions of the flow of international capital. Non-U.S. companies may be subject to less governmental regulation than U.S. issuers. Moreover, individual non-U.S. 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.
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A Portfolios investment in common stock of non-U.S. 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 non-U.S. corporation. For ADRs, the depository is typically a U.S. financial institution and the underlying securities are issued by a non-U.S. issuer. For other Depositary Receipts, the depository may be a non-U.S. or a U.S. entity, and the underlying securities may have a non-U.S. 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. A Portfolio 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.
Variable Amount Master Demand Notes
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, may invest in variable amount master demand notes which are unsecured obligations that are redeemable upon demand and are typically unrated. These instruments are issued pursuant to written agreements between their issuers and holders. The agreements permit the holders to increase (subject to an agreed maximum) and the holders and issuers to decrease the principal amount of the notes, and specify that the rate of interest payable on the principal fluctuates according to an agreed formula. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of these securities than on the market value of comparable fixed income obligations. Thus, investing in these securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed income securities. There may be no active secondary market with respect to a particular variable rate instrument.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, may invest in variable and floating rate securities. Variable rate securities are instruments issued or guaranteed by entities such as (1) U.S. Government, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, (2) corporations, (3) financial institutions, (4) insurance companies or (5) trusts that have a rate of interest subject to adjustment at regular intervals but less frequently than annually. A variable rate security provides for the automatic establishment of a new interest rate on set dates. Interest rates on these securities are ordinarily tied to, and are a percentage of, a widely recognized interest rate, such as the yield on 90-day U.S. Treasury bills or the prime rate of a specified bank. These rates may change as often as twice daily. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of variable and floating rate securities than on the market value of comparable fixed income obligations. Thus, investing in variable and floating rate securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed income securities. Variable rate obligations will be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate.
When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Securities
Each Portfolio, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, may purchase securities on a when-issued basis, and may purchase or sell those securities for delayed delivery. Delivery of and payment for these securities may take place as long as a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. The value of these securities is subject to market fluctuation during this period, and no income accrues to a Portfolio until settlement takes place. When entering into a when-issued or delayed-delivery transaction, a Portfolio will rely on the other party to consummate the transaction; if the other party fails to do so, the Portfolio may be disadvantaged. A Portfolio will not accrue income with respect to a when-issued or delayed delivery security prior to its stated delivery date.
Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis and held by a Portfolio are subject to changes in market value based upon actual or perceived changes in the level of interest rates. Generally, the value of such securities will fluctuate inversely to changes in interest rates i.e. , they will appreciate in value when interest rates decline and decrease in value when interest rates rise. Therefore, if in order to achieve higher interest income a Portfolio remains substantially fully invested at the same time that it has purchased securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, there will be a greater possibility of fluctuation in the Portfolios net asset value (NAV).
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Zero Coupon Securities
The Portfolios, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, may invest in zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities are notes, bonds and debentures that: (1) do not pay current interest and are issued at a substantial discount from par value; (2) have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons and receipts; or (3) pay no interest until a stated date one or more years into the future. These securities also include certificates representing interests in such stripped coupons and receipts. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a greater impact on the market value of a zero coupon security than on the market value of the comparable securities that pay interest periodically during the life of the instrument. The Portfolios will not receive cash payments on a current basis from the issuer in respect of accrued original issue discount (OID), but investors will be required to accrue OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions to maintain its qualification for treatment as a RIC, a Portfolio may be required to sell investments, including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so.
A number of securities firms and banks have stripped the interest coupons and resold them in custodian receipt programs with different names such as Treasury Income Growth Receipts (TIGRS) and Certificates of Accrual on Treasuries (CATS). Privately-issued stripped securities such as TIGRS and CATS are not themselves guaranteed by the U.S. Government, but the future payment of principal or interest on U.S. Treasury obligations which they represent is so guaranteed.
Fundamental Investment Restrictions
The Trust has adopted the following restrictions applicable to the Portfolios, which may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Portfolio, which is defined in the 1940 Act to mean the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Portfolio and (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
1. | A Portfolio may borrow money and issue senior securities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
2. | A Portfolio may make loans, including to affiliated investment companies, to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
3. | A Portfolio may purchase or sell commodities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
4. | A Portfolio may purchase, sell or hold real estate to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
5. | A Portfolio may underwrite securities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
For the State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, and the State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio:
6. | A Portfolio may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Portfolios total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: each Portfolio is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) and tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing. Each Portfolio may concentrate its investments in securities of issuers in the same industry as may be necessary to approximate the composition of the Portfolios underlying Index. |
For the Strategic Real Return Portfolio:
6. | A Portfolio may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Portfolios total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: each Portfolio is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) and tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing. |
For the Money Market Portfolios:
6. |
A Portfolio may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Portfolios total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with |
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applicable law from time to time and as follows: each Portfolio is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing and bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit and similar instruments issued by: (i) U.S. banks, (ii) U.S. branches of foreign banks (in circumstances in which the Adviser determines that the U.S. branches of foreign banks are subject to the same regulation as U.S. banks), (iii) foreign branches of U.S. banks (in circumstances in which the Adviser determines that the Portfolio will have recourse to the U.S. bank for the obligations of the foreign branch), and (iv) foreign branches of foreign banks (to the extent that the Adviser determines that the foreign branches of foreign banks are subject to the same or substantially similar regulations as U.S. banks). |
With respect to investment policy on concentration (#6 above), each Money Market Portfolio may concentrate in bankers acceptances, certificates of deposit and similar instruments when, in the opinion of the Adviser, the yield, marketability and availability of investments meeting the Portfolios quality standards in the banking industry justify any additional risks associated with the concentration of the Portfolios assets in such industry.
For Current Yield Portfolio, Conservative Income Portfolio and Ultra Short Bond Portfolio:
6. | A Portfolio may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Portfolios total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: the Portfolio is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) and tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing. |
For purposes of the above investment limitation number 6, in the case of a tax-exempt bond issued by a non-governmental user, where the tax-exempt bond is backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental user, then such non-governmental user would be deemed to be the sole issuer. For each Portfolio, all percentage limitations (except the limitation to borrowings) on investments will apply at the time of the making of an investment and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of such investment. Except for the investment restrictions expressly identified as fundamental, or to the extent designated as such in the Prospectus with respect to a Portfolio, the other investment policies described in this SAI or in the Prospectus are not fundamental and may be changed by approval of the Trustees without shareholder approval.
Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions
In addition, it is contrary to the present policies of the Equity 500 Index II Portfolio and Global Equity Ex-U.S. Index Portfolio to invest in securitized instruments (including asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, or asset-backed commercial paper) nor sweep excess cash into any non-governmental money market fund.
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
Introduction
The policies set forth below to be followed by State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street) and SSGA FM (collectively, the Service Providers) for the disclosure of information about the portfolio holdings of the SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, and State Street Institutional Investment Trust (each, a Trust). These disclosure policies are intended to ensure compliance by the Service Providers and the Trust with applicable regulations of the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Board of Trustees of the Trust must approve all material amendments to the policy.
General Policy
It is the policy of the Service Providers to protect the confidentiality of client holdings and prevent the selective disclosure of non-public information concerning the Trust.
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Exception
No information concerning the portfolio holdings of the Trust may be disclosed to any party (including shareholders) except as provided below.
Publicly Available Information. Any party may disclose portfolio holdings information after the holdings are publicly available.
Disclosure of the complete holdings of each Portfolio is required to be made quarterly within 60 days of the end of the Portfolios fiscal quarter in the Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Portfolio shareholders and in the quarterly holdings report on Form N-Q (filed after the first and third fiscal quarters). These reports are available, free of charge, on the EDGAR database on the SECs website at www.sec.gov . Each Portfolio will also make complete portfolio holdings available generally no later than 60 calendar days after the end of the Portfolios fiscal quarter or subsequent to periodic portfolio holdings disclosure in the Portfolios filings with the SEC or on their website.
For Money Market Portfolios: Each Money Market Portfolio generally will post on its corresponding feeder funds website a full list of its portfolio holdings each Friday reflecting the portfolio holdings of the fund on the immediately preceding Wednesday. Additionally, each Money Market Portfolio will also post a full list of its portfolio holdings on its corresponding feeder funds website no later than the fifth business day of each month, reflecting its portfolio holdings as of the last business day of the previous month. Such monthly posting shall contain such information as required by Rule 2a-7(c)(12) under the 1940 Act and remain posted on the website for not less than six months.
Information about each Portfolios 10 largest holdings generally is posted on its corresponding feeder funds website at www.ssga.com/cash/us.html for the relevant feeder fund of the Money Market Portfolios and SSGAFunds.com for the relevant feeder fund of the Index Portfolios within 30 days following the end of each month.
Press Interviews Brokers and Other Discussions
Portfolio managers and other senior officers or spokespersons of the Service Providers or the Trust may disclose or confirm the ownership of any individual portfolio holding position to reporters, brokers, shareholders, consultants or other interested persons only if such information has been previously publicly disclosed in accordance with these disclosure policies. For example, a portfolio manager discussing the Trust may indicate that he owns XYZ Company for the Trust only if the Trusts ownership of such company has previously been publicly disclosed.
Trading Desk Reports
State Street Global Advisors trading desk may periodically distribute lists of investments held by its clients (including the Trust) for general analytical research purposes. In no case may such lists identify individual clients or individual client position sizes. Furthermore, in the case of equity securities, such lists shall not show aggregate client position sizes.
Miscellaneous
Confidentiality Agreement . No non-public disclosure of the Trusts portfolio holdings will be made to any party unless such party has signed a written Confidentiality Agreement. For purposes of the disclosure policies, any Confidentiality Agreement must be in a form and substance acceptable to, and approved by, the Trusts officers.
Evaluation Service Providers. There are numerous mutual fund evaluation services (Morningstar and Lipper) and due diligence departments of broker-dealers and wirehouses that regularly analyze the portfolio holdings of mutual funds in order to monitor and report on various attributes. These services and departments then distribute the results of their analysis to the public, paid subscribers and/or in-house brokers. In order to facilitate the review of the Trust by these services and departments, the Trust may distribute (or authorize the Service Providers and the Trusts custodian or fund accountants to distribute) month-end portfolio holdings to such services and departments only if such entity has executed a confidentiality agreement.
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Additional Restrictions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trusts Board of Trustees, State Street and SSGA FM may, on a case-by-case basis, impose additional restrictions on the dissemination of portfolio information beyond those found in these disclosure policies.
Waivers of Restrictions. These disclosure policies may not be waived, or exceptions made, without the consent of the Trusts officers. All waivers and exceptions involving the Trust will be disclosed to the Board of Trustees of the Trust no later than its next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting.
Disclosures Required by Law . Nothing contained herein is intended to prevent the disclosure of portfolio holdings information as may be required by applicable law. For example, SSGA FM, State Street, the Trust or any of its affiliates or service providers may file any report required by applicable law (such as Schedules 13D, 13G and 13F or Form N-MFP), respond to requests from regulators and comply with valid subpoenas.
The Trustees are responsible for generally overseeing the Trusts business. The following table provides information with respect to each Trustee, including those Trustees who are not considered to be interested as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the Independent Trustees), and each officer of the Trust.
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NAME, ADDRESS, AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH TRUST |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE |
NUMBER OF FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS |
|||||
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES | ||||||||||
Michael F. Holland c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1944 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Board |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 |
Chairman, Holland & Company L.L.C. (investment adviser) (1995- present). |
75 | Director, the Holland Series Fund, Inc.; Director, The China Fund, Inc.; Director, The Taiwan Fund, Inc.; Director, Reaves Utility Income Fund, Inc.; and Director, Blackstone/GSO Loan Funds. | |||||
Patrick J. Riley c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1948 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Board |
Term: Indefinite Elected:1/14 |
2002 to May 2010, Associate Justice of the Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; 1985 to 2002, Partner, Riley, Burke & Donahue, L.L.P. (law firm); 1998 to Present, Independent Director, State Street Global Advisers Ireland, Ltd. (investment company); 1998 to Present, Independent Director, SSGA Liquidity plc (formerly, SSGA Cash Management Fund plc); January 2009 to Present, Independent Director, SSGA Fixed Income plc; and January 2009 to Present, Independent Director, SSGA Qualified Funds PLC. | 75 | Board Director and Chairman, SPDR Europe 1PLC Board (2011-Present); Board Director and Chairman, SPDR Europe II, PLC (2013- Present). | |||||
William L. Boyan c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1937 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Valuation Committee | Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 | President and Chief Operations Officer, John Hancock Financial Services (1959 1999). Mr. Boyan retired in 1999. Chairman Emeritus, Childrens Hospital, Boston, MA (1984 2011); Former Trustee of Old Mutual South Africa Master Trust (investments) (1995 2008); Former Chairman, Boston Plan For Excellence, Boston Public Schools (1995 2010); Member of Advisory Board of Florida Atlantic University Lifelong Learning Society. | 75 | Former Trustee of Old Mutual South Africa Master Trust. |
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William L. Marshall c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1942 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Audit Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
April 2011 to Present, Chairman (until April 2011, Chief Executive Officer and President), Wm. L. Marshall Associates, Inc., Wm. L. Marshall Companies, Inc. and the Marshall Financial Group, Inc. (a registered investment adviser and provider of financial and related consulting services); Certified Financial Planner; Member, Financial Planners Association; 2015 to present, Board member, The Doylestown Health Foundation Board. | 75 | Director, Marshall Financial Group, Inc. | |||||
Richard D. Shirk c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1945 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
March 2001 to April 2002, Chairman (1996 to March 2001, President and Chief Executive Officer), Cerulean Companies, Inc. (holding company) (Retired); 1992 to March 2001, President and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (health insurer, managed healthcare); 1998 to December 2008, Chairman, Board Member and December 2008 to Present, Investment Committee Member, Healthcare Georgia Foundation (private foundation); September 2002 to 2012, Lead Director and Board Member, Amerigroup Corp. (managed health care); 1999 to 2013, Board Member and (since 2001) Investment Committee Member, Woodruff Arts Center; and 2003 to 2009, Trustee, Gettysburg College. | 75 | Board member, AeroCare Holdings (privately held healthcare services company) (February 2003-Present); Board member, Regenesis Biomedical (health care services) (April 2012-Present), Chairman, (January 2014 present). | |||||
Rina K. Spence c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1948 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee and Co-Chairman of the Governance Committee | Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 | President of SpenceCare International LLC (international healthcare consulting) (1999 present); Chief Executive Officer, IEmily.com (health internet company) (2000 2001); Chief Executive Officer of Consensus Pharmaceutical, Inc. (1998 1999); Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spence Center for Womens Health (1994 1998); President and CEO, Emerson Hospital (1984 1994); Trustee, Eastern Enterprise (utilities) (1988 2000); Director, Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America (1993 2009); Honorary Consul for Monaco in Boston (2015 present) | 75 |
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Bruce D. Taber c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1943 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Valuation Committee and Co-Chairman of the Governance Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
1999 to Present, Partner, Zenergy LLC (a technology company providing Computer Modeling and System Analysis to the General Electric Power Generation Division); Until December 2008, Independent Director, SSGA Cash Management Fund plc; Until December 2008, Independent Director, State Street Global Advisers Ireland, Ltd. (investment companies); and Until August 1994, President, Alonzo B. Reed, Inc., (a Boston architect-engineering firm). | 75 | ||||||
Douglas T. Williams c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1940 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Audit Committee | Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 |
President, Oakmont Homeowners Association; President, Mariner Sands Chapel; Executive Vice President and member of Executive Committee, Chase Manhattan Bank (1987 -1999); President, Boston Stock Exchange Depository Trust Company,
1981-1982; Treasurer, Nantucket Educational Trust,
(2002-2007). |
75 | ||||||
INTERESTED TRUSTEE (1) | ||||||||||
James E. Ross SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1965 |
Trustee |
Term: Indefinite Elected Trustee: 2/07 |
Chairman and Director, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2012 present); President, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2005 2012); Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (2006 present); and Principal, State
Street Global Advisors
(2006 present). |
306 | Trustee, SPDR Series Trust; Trustee, SPDR Index Shares Funds; Trustee, Select Sector SPDR Trust; Trustee, SSGA Active ETF Trust; and Trustee, SSGA Master Trust. |
(1) | Mr. Ross is an interested Trustee because of his employment by SSGA Funds Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Trust. |
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NAME, ADDRESS, AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH TRUST |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS |
|||
OFFICERS: | ||||||
Ellen M. Needham SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1967 |
President | Term: Indefinite Elected: 10/12 | President and Director, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (June 2012 present); Chief Operating Officer, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (May 2010 - June 2012); Senior Managing Director, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (1992-2012) and Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (1992-present).* | |||
Ann M. Carpenter SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1966 |
Vice President and Deputy Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 10/12 Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
Chief Operating Officer, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2014- present); Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2005 present).* | |||
Chad C. Hallett SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1969 |
Deputy Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
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).* | |||
Bruce S. Rosenberg SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1961 |
Treasurer | Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 | Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (July 2015 present); Director, Credit Suisse (April 2008 July 2015). | |||
Sujata Upreti SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1974 |
Assistant Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (May 2015 present); Assistant Director, Cambridge Associates, LLC (July 2014 January 2015); Vice President, Bank of New York Mellon (July 2012 August 2013); Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (September 2003 July 2012). | |||
Daniel Foley SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1972 |
Assistant Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2014 present); Principal, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2007 April 2014). | |||
Trevor Swanberg SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1979 |
Code of Ethics Compliance Officer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 8/15 |
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). |
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NAME, ADDRESS, AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH TRUST |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS |
|||
Brian Harris State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1973 |
Chief Compliance Officer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 11/13 |
Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2016- Present); Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (June 2013-2016); Senior Vice President and Global Head of Investment Compliance, BofA Global Capital Management (September 2010 to May 2013); Director of Compliance, AARP Financial Inc. (July 2008 to August 2010). | |||
Joshua A. Weinberg SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1978 |
Chief Legal Officer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/15 |
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). | |||
David K. James State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, 3 rd Floor Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1970 |
Secretary |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 4/13 |
Managing Director and Managing Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2009 - present); Vice President and Counsel, PNC Global Investment Servicing (US), Inc. (20062009). | |||
Kristin Schantz State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, 3 rd Floor Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1979 |
Assistant Secretary |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/14 |
Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2013- present); Vice President, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (2008-2013). |
* | Served in various capacities and/or with various affiliated entities during noted time period. |
The By-Laws of the Trust provide that the Trust shall indemnify each person who is or was a Trustee of the Trust against all expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceedings if the person in good faith and reasonably believes that his or her conduct was in the Trusts best interest. The Trust, at its expense, provides liability insurance for the benefit of its Trustees and officers.
Summary of Trustees Qualifications
Following is a summary of the experience, attributes and skills which qualify each Trustee to serve on the Trusts Board.
Michael F. Holland: Mr. Holland is an experienced business executive with over 45 years of experience in the financial services industry including 20 years as a portfolio manager of another registered mutual fund; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.
William L. Boyan: Mr. Boyan is an experienced business executive with over 43 years of experience in the insurance industry; his experience includes prior service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies and charities and an executive position with a major insurance company. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.
Rina K. Spence: Ms. Spence is an experienced business executive with over 35 years of experience in the health care industry; her experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies, charities and utility companies and chief executive positions for various health care companies. She has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.
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Douglas T. Williams: Mr. Williams is an experienced business executive with over 42 years of experience in the banking industry; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies and charities and senior executive positions of major bank organizations. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those trusts.
James E. Ross: Mr. Ross is an experienced business executive with over 26 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for eight years and as President of the trusts for nine years and possesses significant experience regarding the trusts operations and history. Mr. Ross is also a senior executive officer of State Street Global Advisors.
William L. Marshall: Mr. Marshall is an experienced business executive with over 45 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as an advisor trustee or officer of various investment companies and charities. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 27 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Patrick J. Riley: Mr. Riley is an experienced business executive with over 39 years of experience in the legal and financial services industries; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies and Associate Justice of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 27 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Richard D. Shirk: Mr. Shirk is an experienced business executive with over 47 years of experience in the health care and insurance industries and with investment matters; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various health care companies and nonprofit organizations. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 27 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Bruce D. Taber: Mr. Taber is an experienced business executive with over 42 years of experience in the power generation, technology and engineering industries; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 24 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
References to the experience, attributes and skills of Trustees above are pursuant to requirements of the SEC, do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
Standing Committees
The Board of Trustees has established various committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of various matters of importance to Independent Trustees, the Trust, and the Trusts shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Currently, the Board has created an Audit Committee, Governance Committee, Valuation Committee and Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee.
The Audit Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee meets twice a year, or more often as required, in conjunction with meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Audit Committee oversees and monitors the Trusts internal accounting and control structure, its auditing function and its financial reporting process. The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting and retaining the independent accountants for the Trust. The Audit Committee is responsible for approving the audit plans, fees and other material arrangements in respect of the engagement of the independent accountants, including non-audit services performed. The Audit Committee reviews the qualifications of the independent accountants key personnel involved in the foregoing activities and monitors the independent accountants independence. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Audit Committee held four meetings.
The Governance Committee is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the Governance Committee, including the Nominating Committee (a sub-committee of the Governance Committee), is to review and evaluate the composition and performance of the Board; make nominations for membership on the Board and committees; review the responsibilities of each committee; and review governance procedures, and compensation of Independent Trustees. The Nominating Committee will consider nominees to the Board recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be
35
submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Nominating Committee Charter and should be submitted in writing to the Trust, to the attention of the Trusts Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust. Shareholder recommendations must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Trust not less than sixty (60) calendar days nor more than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of the Board or shareholder meeting at which the nominee candidate would be considered for election. The Governance Committee performs an annual Board self-evaluation. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Governance Committee held two meetings.
The Valuation Committee is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The Valuation Committees primary purpose is to review the actions and recommendations of the Advisers Oversight Committee. The Trust has established procedures and guidelines for valuing portfolio securities and making fair value determinations from time to time. The Valuation Committee is responsible for overseeing the Funds valuation determinations, with the assistance of the Oversight Committee, State Street and SSGA FM. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Valuation Committee held four meetings.
The Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee (the QLCC) is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the QLCC are to receive quarterly reports from the Trusts chief compliance officer (the Chief Compliance Officer); to oversee generally the Trusts responses to regulatory inquiries; and to investigate matters referred to it by the Chief Legal Officer and make recommendations to the Board regarding the implementation of an appropriate response to evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers or the Trustees. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee held four meetings.
Leadership Structure and Risk Management Oversight
The Board has chosen to select different individuals as Co-Chairpersons of the Board of the Trust and as President of the Trust. Currently, Mr. Holland and Mr. Riley, both Independent Trustees, serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Board, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Williams serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Audit Committee, Mr. Shirk and Ms. Spence serve as Co-Chairpersons of the QLCC, Mr. Boyan and Mr. Taber serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Valuation Committee and Mr. Taber and Ms. Spence serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Governance Committee.
Mr. Ross, who is also an employee of the Adviser, serve as Trustee of the Trust and Ellen Needham, who is also an employee of the Adviser, serves as President of the Trust. The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate, since Mr. Ross and Ms. Needham provide the Board with insight regarding the Trusts day-to-day management, while Mr. Holland and Mr. Riley provide an independent perspective on the Trusts overall operation and Mr. Marshall and Mr. Williams provide a specialized perspective on audit matters.
The Board has delegated management of the Trust to service providers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of risks applicable to the Trust. The Board oversees risk management for the Trust in several ways. The Board receives regular reports from both the Chief Compliance Officer and administrator for the Trust, detailing the results of the Trusts compliance with its Board-adopted policies and procedures, the investment policies and limitations of the Funds, and applicable provisions of the federal securities laws and the Code. As needed, the Adviser discusses management issues regarding the Trust with the Board, soliciting the Boards input on many aspects of management, including potential risks to the Portfolios. The Boards Audit Committee also receives reports on various aspects of risk that might affect the Trust and offers advice to management, as appropriate. The Trustees also meet in executive session with the independent counsel to the Independent Trustees, the independent registered public accounting firm, counsel to the Trust, the Chief Compliance Officer and representatives of management, as needed. Through these regular reports and interactions, the Board oversees the risk management parameters for the Trust, which are effected on a day-to-day basis by service providers to the Trust.
Trustee Ownership of Securities of the Trust, Adviser and Distributor
As of December 31, 2015 none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members had any ownership of securities of the Adviser or State Street Global Markets, LLC (SSGM), the Trusts distributor, or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or SSGM.
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The following table sets forth information describing the dollar range of the Trusts equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee as of December 31, 2015.
Name of Independent Trustee |
Dollar Range Of Equity Securities In The Portfolios |
Aggregate Dollar Range
Of Equity Securities In All Registered Investment Companies Overseen By Trustees In Family of Investment Companies |
||
William L. Boyan |
None | None | ||
Michael F. Holland |
None | None | ||
William L. Marshall |
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Patrick J. Riley |
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Richard D. Shirk |
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Rina K. Spence |
None | None | ||
Bruce D. Taber |
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Douglas T. Williams |
None | None | ||
Name of Interested Trustee |
||||
James E. Ross |
None | Over $100,000 |
Trustee Compensation
Each Independent Trustee receives for his or her services to the State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust and SSGA Funds, a $141,500 annual base retainer in addition to $18,000 for each in-person meeting and $2,000 for each telephonic meeting from the Trust. The Trust pays a fixed allocation of $15,000 per Fund. The Co-Chairmen receive an additional $44,000 annual retainer. The Independent Trustees are reimbursed for travel and other out-of pocket expenses in connection with meeting attendance. As of the date of this annual report, the Trustees were not paid pension or retirement benefits as part of the Trusts expenses.
The Trusts officers are compensated by the Adviser and its affiliates.
The following table sets forth the total remuneration of Trustees and officers of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:
AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION FROM THE TRUST |
PENSION OR
RETIREMENT BENEFITS ACCRUED AS PART OF TRUST EXPENSES |
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL BENEFITS UPON RETIREMENT |
TOTAL
COMPENSATION FROM TRUST & FUND COMPLEX PAID TO TRUSTEES |
|||||||||||||
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE |
||||||||||||||||
William L. Boyan, Trustee |
$ | 175,788 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Michael F. Holland, Trustee |
$ | 211,387 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 266,000 | ||||||||
William L. Marshall, Trustee |
$ | 169,297 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Patrick J. Riley, Trustee |
$ | 202,548 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 266,000 | ||||||||
Richard D. Shirk, Trustee |
$ | 169,297 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Rina K. Spence, Trustee |
$ | 175,788 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Bruce D. Taber, Trustee |
$ | 169,297 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Douglas T. Williams, Trustee |
$ | 175,788 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
NAME OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
||||||||||||||||
James E. Ross, Trustee |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Gregory A. Ehret 1 |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Scott F. Powers 2 |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
1 | Mr. Ehret served as a Trustee from August 2015 until December 2015. |
2 | Mr. Powers served as a Trustee until May 2015. |
Codes of Ethics
The Trust, the Adviser, and SSGM have each adopted a code of ethics (together, the Codes 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
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deceptive, manipulative or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Portfolios (which may also be held by persons subject to the Codes of Ethics). The Codes of Ethics permit personnel, subject to the Codes of Ethics and their provisions, to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Trust, Adviser, State Street or SSGM.
The Trust has adopted proxy voting procedures pursuant to which the Trust delegates the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Portfolios to the Adviser, as part of the Advisers general management of the Portfolios, subject to the Boards continuing oversight. A copy of the Trusts proxy voting procedures is located in Appendix B and a copy of the Advisers proxy voting procedures is located in Appendix C.
Shareholders may receive information regarding how the Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 (i) by calling (877) 521-4083 or (ii) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov .
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of April 1, 2016, the Trustees and officers of the Trust owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the shares of each class (if applicable) of each Portfolio.
Persons or organizations owning 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Portfolio may be presumed to control (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) a Portfolio. As a result, these persons or organizations could have the ability to approve or reject those matters submitted to the shareholders of such Portfolio for their approval. As of April 1, 2016, to the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons held of record or beneficially through one or more accounts 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Portfolio.
Name and Address |
Percentage | |||
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio |
||||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
83.15 | % | ||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio |
||||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
61.59 | % | ||
State Street Global Equity ex-US Index Portfolio |
||||
State Street Global Equity ex-US Index Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
43.50 | % |
As of April 1, 2016, to the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons held of record or beneficially through one or more accounts 5% or more of the outstanding shares of a Portfolio.
Name and Address |
Percentage | |||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio |
||||
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
14.35 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
7.25 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
5.63 | % | ||
State Street Global Equity ex-US Index Portfolio |
||||
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
12.63 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
11.43 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
9.50 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
6.16 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
6.09 | % | ||
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio |
||||
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
20.63 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
18.82 | % | ||
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
12.10 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
11.66 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
10.10 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 |
8.28 | % |
Investment Advisory Agreement
SSGA FM is responsible for the investment management of the Portfolios pursuant to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 17, 2015, as amended from time to time (the Advisory Agreement), by and between the Adviser and the Trust. The Adviser and State Street are wholly-owned subsidiaries of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company.
The Portfolios do not pay an advisory fee to SSGA FM.
The Advisory Agreement will continue from year to year provided that a majority of the Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees or a majority of the shareholders of the Trust approve its continuance. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser or the Trust without penalty upon sixty days notice and will terminate automatically upon its assignment.
The Adviser and its affiliates may have deposit, loan and other commercial banking relationships with the issuers of obligations that may be purchased on behalf of the Portfolios, including outstanding loans to such issuers that could be repaid in whole or in part with the proceeds of securities so purchased. Such affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in such obligations and are among the leading dealers of various types of such obligations. The Adviser has informed the Portfolios that, in making its investment decisions, it will not obtain or use material non-public information in its possession or in the possession of any of its affiliates. In making investment recommendations for a Portfolio, the Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether an issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by the Portfolio is a customer
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of the Adviser, its parent or its subsidiaries or affiliates and, in dealing with its customers, the Adviser, its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of such customers were held by any portfolio managed by the Adviser or any such affiliate.
In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable for a Portfolio as well as for one or more of the Advisers other clients. Investment decisions for the Trust and for the Advisers other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling that same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as a Portfolio is concerned. However, it is believed that the ability of each Portfolio to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Portfolios.
Administrator, Sub-Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent
SSGA FM serves as the administrator for the Portfolios pursuant to an Amended and Restated Administration Agreement. Under the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, SSGA FM is obligated to continuously provide business management services to the Trust and the Portfolios and will generally, subject to the general oversight of the Trustees and except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, manage all of the business and affairs of the Trust.
Prior to June 1, 2015, State Street served as the administrator for the Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio and Strategic Real Return Portfolio pursuant to an Administration Agreement between the Trust and State Street.
The Adviser may retain State Street, an affiliate of the Adviser, to provide certain administrative services in connection with regulatory reporting for the Strategic Real Return Portfolio and the Subsidiary on Form PQR to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the National Futures Association. The Strategic Real Return Portfolio and the Subsidiary may bear the portion of the fees that the Adviser pays to State Street that is attributable to the Strategic Real Return Portfolio and the Subsidiary, respectively.
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 the Portfolios. 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 State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.
State Street serves as custodian and fund accountant for the Portfolios pursuant to a Custody Agreement and holds the Portfolios assets.
State Street serves as Transfer Agent to the Portfolios.
A fee is paid by each Portfolio for the administration, sub-administration, custody and transfer agency services SSGA FM and State Street provide. The annual fee is accrued daily and payable monthly at the following fee rate:
PORTFOLIOS |
ANNUAL PERCENTAGE OF
AVERAGE DAILY NET ASSETS |
|||
Average Assets Break Point: |
||||
First $400 Million |
0.03 | % | ||
Next $15 billion |
0.02 | % | ||
Thereafter |
0.01 | % | ||
Minimum per Portfolio |
$ | 150,000 |
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The minimum fee will be calculated by multiplying the minimum per fund fee by the number of portfolios within the Trust to arrive at the total minimum fee. The greater of the asset based fee or the minimum fee will be charged to the portfolios. SSGA FM and State Street each receive a portion of the fee.
The administration fees paid to SSGA FM as the Administrator are set forth in the table below:
Portfolio |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2015 |
|||
Equity 500 Index II Portfolio |
$ | 883 | ||
Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio |
$ | 131 | ||
Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio |
$ | 172 | ||
Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio (1) |
$ | 32 |
(1) | Commencement of Operations August 11, 2015. |
The administration fees paid by the Strategic Real Return Portfolio and the Cash Portfolios have been omitted because the Portfolios had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
The sub-administration, custodian and transfer agency fees paid to State Street for the last three fiscal years are set forth in the table below.
Portfolio |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2014 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2015 |
||||||
Equity 500 Index II Portfolio (1) |
$ | 19,434 | $ | 65,433 | ||||
Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio (2) |
$ | 2,052 | $ | 12,871 | ||||
Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio (3) |
$ | 49,860 | $ | 313,588 | ||||
Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio (4) |
| $ | 2,156 |
(1) | Commencement of Operations August 11, 2014. |
(2) | Commencement of Operations September 19, 2014. |
(3) | Commencement of Operations September 17, 2014. |
(4) | Commencement of Operations August 11, 2015. |
The sub-administration, custodian and transfer agency paid by the Strategic Real Return Portfolio and the Cash Portfolios have been omitted because the Portfolios had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
Distributor
SSGM serves as the distributor of the Portfolios. SSGM is a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation. SSGMs mailing address is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.
Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plans
Investments in the Portfolios are not subject to any sales load or redemption fee. Assets of the Portfolios are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 fee.
Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Ropes & Gray LLP serves as counsel to the Trust. The principal business address of Ropes & Gray LLP is 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199. Joseph P. Barri LLC, located at 259 Robbins Street, Milton, Massachusetts 02186, serves as independent counsel to the Independent Trustees.
Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust and provides (i) audit services and (ii) tax services. In connection with the audit of the 2015 financial statements, the Trust entered into an engagement agreement with Ernst & Young LLP that sets forth the terms of Ernst & Young LLPs audit engagement. The principal business address of Ernst & Young LLP is 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
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The following persons serve as the portfolio managers of the Portfolios (other than the Money Market Portfolios) as of the date of this SAI. The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by each individual and assets under management in those accounts as of December 31, 2015:
Portfolio Manager |
Portfolio |
Registered
Investment Company Accounts |
Assets
Managed ($ billions) |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicle Accounts |
Assets
Managed ($ billions) |
Other Accounts |
Assets Managed ($ billions) |
Total
Assets Managed ($ billions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
John A. Tucker |
Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio and Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio. | 152 | 185.17 | 453 | 483.94 | 348 | 213.09 | 882.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Karl Schneider |
Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio and Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio. | 152 | 185.17 | 453 | 483.94 | 348 | 213.09 | 882.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mike Feehily |
Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, and Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, | 152 | 185.17 | 453 | 483.94 | 348 | 213.09 | 882.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mahesh Jayakumar |
Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 32 | 52.96 | 117 | 55.32 | 135 | 45.67 | 882.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Joanna Mauro |
Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | 32 | 52.96 | 117 | 55.32 | 135 | 45.67 | 882.20 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Robert Guiliano |
Strategic Real Return Portfolio | 32 | 5.32 | 143 | 27.69 | 187 | * | 25.92 | * | 58.93 | ||||||||||||||||||||
John Gulino |
Strategic Real Return Portfolio | 32 | 5.32 | 143 | 27.69 | 187 | * | 25.92 | * | 58.93 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jeff St. Peters |
Current Yield Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Ultra Short Bond Fund | 19 | 127.04 | 25 | 98.42 | 104 | 117.71 | 343.17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Todd Bean |
Current Yield Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Ultra Short Bond Fund | 19 | 127.04 | 25 | 98.42 | 104 | 117.71 | 343.17 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Sean Lussier | Current Yield Fund, Conservative Income Fund, Ultra Short Bond Fund | 19 | 127.04 | 25 | 98.42 | 104 | 117.71 | 343.17 |
* | Includes 13 accounts with performance based fees and assets of $1.44 billion. |
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As indicated in the tables above, portfolio managers at the Adviser may manage numerous accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include registered investment companies (which include exchange-traded funds), other types of pooled accounts (e.g., collective investment funds), and separate accounts ( i.e. , accounts managed on behalf of individuals or public or private institutions). Portfolio managers make investment decisions for each account based on the investment objectives and policies and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that portfolio. The portfolio managers do not beneficially own any shares of any Portfolio as of December 31, 2015.
When a portfolio manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts may arise out of: (a) the portfolio managers execution of different investment strategies for various accounts; or (b) the allocation of resources or investment opportunities.
A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers responsibility for multiple accounts with similar investment guidelines. Under these circumstances, a potential investment may be suitable for more than one of the portfolio managers accounts, but the quantity of the investment available for purchase is less than the aggregate amount the accounts would ideally devote to the opportunity. Similar conflicts may arise when multiple accounts seek to dispose of the same investment. The portfolio manager may also manage accounts whose objectives and policies differ from that of the respective Portfolio. These differences may be such that under certain circumstances, trading activity appropriate for one account managed by the portfolio manager may have adverse consequences for another account managed by the portfolio manager. For example, an account may sell a significant position in a security, which could cause the market price of that security to decrease, while the fund maintained its position in that security.
A potential conflict may arise when the portfolio manager is responsible for accounts that have different advisory fees. The difference in fees could create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another, for example, in terms of access to investment opportunities. This conflict may be heightened if an account is subject to a performance-based fee. Another potential conflict may arise when the portfolio manager has an investment in one or more accounts that participates in transactions with other accounts. His or her investment(s) may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, portfolio managers within the Adviser are normally responsible for all accounts within a certain investment discipline and do not, absent special circumstances, differentiate among the various accounts when allocating resources. Additionally, the Adviser and its advisory affiliates have processes and procedures for allocating investment opportunities among portfolios that are designed to be fair and equitable.
The compensation of SSGA FMs investment professionals is based on a number of factors, including external benchmarking data and market trends, State Street Corporation performance, SSGA performance, and individual performance. Each year State Street Corporations Global Human Resources department participates in compensation surveys in order to provide SSGA with critical, market-based compensation information that helps support individual pay decisions. Additionally, subject to State Street Corporation and SSGA business results, State Street Corporation allocates an incentive pool to SSGA to reward its employees. Because the size of the incentive pool is based on the firms overall profitability and performance against risk-related goals, each staff member is motivated to contribute both as an individual and as a team member.
The incentive pool is allocated to the various functions within SSGA. The discretionary determination of the allocation amounts to business units is influenced by market-based compensation data, as well as the overall performance of the group. Individual compensation decisions are made by the employees manager, in conjunction with the senior management of the employees business unit. These decisions are based on the performance of the employee and, as mentioned above, on the performance of the firm and business unit.
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BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. Ordinarily commissions are not charged on over the counter orders (including, for example, debt securities and money market investments) because a Portfolio pays a spread which is included in the cost of the security, and is the difference between the dealers cost and the cost to the Portfolio. When a Portfolio executes an over the counter order with an electronic communications network, an alternative trading system or a non-market maker, a commission is charged because there is no spread on the trade. Securities may be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees.
The Portfolios investment advisory agreement authorizes the Adviser to place, in the name of a Portfolio, orders for the execution of the securities transactions in which the Portfolio is authorized to invest, provided the Adviser seeks the best overall terms for the transaction. In selecting brokers or dealers (including affiliates of the Adviser), the Adviser chooses the broker-dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable execution (the most favorable cost or net proceeds reasonably obtainable under the circumstances). The full range of brokerage services applicable to a particular transaction may be considered when making this judgment, which may include, but is not limited to: liquidity, price, commission, timing, aggregated trades, capable floor brokers or traders, competent block trading coverage, ability to position, capital strength and stability, reliable and accurate communications and settlement processing, use of automation, knowledge of other buyers or sellers, arbitrage skills, administrative ability, brokerage and research services, underwriting, and provision of information on a particular security or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary depending on the nature of the transaction, the market in which it is executed, and the extent to which it is possible to select from among multiple broker-dealers. The Adviser does not currently use any Portfolios assets for soft-dollar arrangements. The Adviser does not presently participate in any soft dollar arrangements. It may aggregate trades with clients of State Street Global Advisors whose commission dollars are used to generate soft dollar credits for State Street Global Advisors. Although the Advisers clients commissions are not used for soft dollars, the Adviser and State Street Global Advisors clients may benefit from the soft dollar products/services received by State Street Global Advisors.
The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities.
The brokerage commissions paid by the Portfolios for the last three fiscal years are shown below:
Portfolio |
Fiscal year ended
December 31 2013 |
Fiscal year ended
December 31 2014 |
Fiscal year ended
December 31 2015 |
|||||||||
Equity 500 Index II Portfolio (1) |
| $ | 5,565.52 | $ | 16,330.24 | |||||||
Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio (2) |
| | | |||||||||
Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio (3) |
| $ | 11,557.07 | $ | 29,029.16 | |||||||
Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio (4) |
| | $ | 3,738.43 |
(1) | Commencement of Operations August 11, 2014. |
(2) | Commencement of Operations September 19, 2014. |
(3) | Commencement of Operations September 17, 2014. |
(4) | Commencement of Operations August 11, 2015. |
The brokerage commission fees paid by the Strategic Real Return Portfolio and the Cash Portfolios have been omitted because the Portfolios had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
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DECLARATION OF TRUST, CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER INFORMATION
Capitalization
Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of each Portfolio. Upon liquidation or dissolution of a Portfolio, investors are entitled to share pro rata in the Portfolios net assets available for distribution to its investors. Investments in a Portfolio have no preference, preemptive, conversion or similar rights, except as determined by the Trustees or as set forth in the Bylaws, and are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below.
Declaration of Trust
The Declaration of Trust of the Trust provides that the Trust may redeem shares of a Portfolio at the redemption price that would apply if the share redemption were initiated by a shareholder. It is the policy of the Trust that, except upon such conditions as may from time to time be set forth in the then current prospectus of the Trust or to facilitate the Trusts or a Portfolios compliance with applicable law or regulation, the Trust would not initiate a redemption of shares unless it were to determine that failing to do so may have a substantial adverse consequence for the Portfolio or the Trust.
The Trusts Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust will be deemed independent and disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding. It is the policy of the Trust that it will not assert that provision to preclude a shareholder from claiming that a trustee is not independent or disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding; provided, however, that the foregoing policy will not prevent the Trust from asserting applicable law (including Section 2B of Chapter 182 of the Massachusetts General Laws) to preclude a shareholder from claiming that a trustee is not independent or disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding.
The Trust will not deviate from the foregoing policies in a manner that adversely affects the rights of shareholders of a Portfolio without the approval of a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such Portfolio.
Voting
Each investor is entitled to a vote in proportion to the number of Portfolio shares it owns. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees, and investors holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding shares in the Trust may elect all of the Trustees if they choose to do so. The Trust is not required and has no current intention to hold annual meetings of investors but the Trust will hold special meetings of shareholders when in the judgment of the Trustees it is necessary or desirable to submit matters for a shareholder vote.
Massachusetts Business Trust
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders in a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and provides for indemnification out of the property of the applicable series of the Trust for any loss to which the shareholder may become subject by reason of being or having been a shareholder of that series and for reimbursement of the shareholder for all expense arising from such liability. Thus the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability should be limited to circumstances in which the series would be unable to meet its obligations.
Pricing of shares of the Portfolios does not occur on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays. The NYSE is open for trading every weekday except for: (a) the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.s Birthday, Washingtons Birthday (the third Monday in February), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas; and (b) the preceding Friday or the subsequent Monday when one of the calendar-determined holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. Purchases and withdrawals will be effected at the time of determination of NAV next following the receipt of any purchase or withdrawal order which is determined to be in good order.
The Portfolios securities will be valued pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Trustees.
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The following discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Portfolios is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authority, as of the date of this SAI. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Portfolios. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular shareholders. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular situation and the possible application of foreign, state and local tax laws.
Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans or tax-advantaged arrangements. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of a Portfolio as an investment through such plans and arrangements and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situations.
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
Each Portfolio has elected or intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Code and intends each year to qualify and be eligible to be treated as such. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, each Portfolio must, among other things, (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below); (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Portfolios taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Portfolios total assets consists of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to a value not greater than 5% of the value of the Portfolios total assets and no more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) no more than 25% of its assets are invested, including through corporations in which the Portfolio owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, (x) in the securities (other than those of the U.S. Government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Portfolio controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades and businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below); and (c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid generally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt income, for such year.
In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the RIC.
However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in section (a)(i) of the preceding paragraph), will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes, because they meet the passive income requirement under Code section 7704(c)(2). Further, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.
For purposes of the diversification test in (b) above, the term outstanding voting securities of such issuer will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also, for purposes of the diversification test in (b) above, the identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular Portfolio investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect a Portfolios ability to meet the diversification test in (b) above.
If a Portfolio qualifies as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment, the Portfolio will not be subject to federal income tax on income or gains distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below). If a Portfolio were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution test described above, the Portfolio could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Portfolio-level tax, paying interest or disposing of certain assets. If such Portfolio were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or if such Portfolio were otherwise to fail to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year, the Portfolio would be
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subject to tax at the Portfolio level on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net capital gains (each as defined below), would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and may be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals, provided, in both cases, the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of a Portfolios shares (as described below). In addition, a Portfolio could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.
Each Portfolio intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and its net tax-exempt income (if any), and may distribute its net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to any loss carryforwards). Any taxable income retained by a Portfolio will be subject to tax at the Portfolio level at regular corporate rates. If a Portfolio retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but is permitted to designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a timely notice to its shareholders who (a) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Portfolio on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds on a properly-filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If a Portfolio makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Portfolio will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders gross income under clause (a) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (b) of the preceding sentence. The Portfolios are not required to, and there can be no assurance a Portfolio will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.
In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below), its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a RIC generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any net capital loss attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31 or, if there is no such loss, the net long-term capital loss or net short-term capital loss attributable to any such portion of the taxable year) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, the sum of its (i) net ordinary loss, if any, from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31, and its (ii) other net ordinary loss, if any, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.
If a Portfolio were to fail to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal, in general, to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 of such year (or a later date if the Portfolio is eligible to elect and so elects), plus any such amounts retained from the prior year, the Portfolio would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a RICs ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31 of a calendar year (or a later date, if the RIC makes the election referred to above) generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Also, for these purposes, a Portfolio will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. Each Portfolio intends generally to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. Distributions declared by a Portfolio during October, November and December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the Portfolio during the following January will be treated for federal tax purposes as paid by the Portfolio and received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which declared.
Capital losses in excess of capital gains (net capital losses) are not permitted to be deducted against a Portfolios net investment income. Instead, a Portfolio may carry net capital losses from any taxable year forward to subsequent taxable years to offset capital
gains, if any, realized during subsequent taxable years. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any
available capital loss carryforwards. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital
gains, whether the Portfolio retains or distributes the gains so offset. A Portfolio may carry net capital losses forward to one or more
subsequent taxable years without expiration; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. The
Fund must apply such carryforwards first against gains of the same character. A Portfolios ability to use net capital losses to offset gains may be limited as a result of certain (a) acquisitive reorganizations and (b) shifts in the ownership of the Portfolio by a shareholder owning or treated as owning 5% or more of the stock of the Portfolio. See a Portfolios annual shareholder report for the Portfolios available capital loss carryovers as of the end of its most recently ended fiscal year.
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Taxation of Distributions Received by Shareholders
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Portfolio owned (or is deemed to have owned) the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Portfolio shares. In general, a Portfolio will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of assets the Portfolio has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of investments the Portfolio has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net-capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that are properly reported by a Portfolio as capital gain dividends (Capital Gain Dividends) generally will be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates relative to ordinary income. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryovers. The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio generally does not expect a significant portion of its distributions to be Capital Gain Dividends. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of investment income properly reported by a Portfolio as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to net capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Portfolio level. The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio does not expect its distributions to be derived from qualified dividend income.
The Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals, trusts and estates to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by a Portfolio of net investment income and capital gains, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption, exchange or other taxable disposition of Portfolio shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Portfolio.
If a Portfolio makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of the Portfolios current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of such shareholders tax basis in its shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholders tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.
Shareholders of a Portfolio will be subject to federal income taxes as described herein on distributions made by the Portfolio whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Portfolio.
Distributions with respect to a Portfolios shares are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Portfolios realized income and gains, even though such distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholders investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when a Portfolios net asset value includes either unrealized gains, or realized but undistributed income or gains, that were therefore included in the price the shareholder paid. Such distributions may reduce the fair market value of the Portfolios shares below the shareholders cost basis in those shares. As described above, a Portfolio is required to distribute realized income and gains regardless of whether the Portfolios net asset value also reflects unrealized losses.
In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Portfolio shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Portfolio must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks held by the Portfolio, and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Portfolios shares. In general, a dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Portfolio or shareholder level) (a) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (b) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (c) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (d) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (i) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (ii) treated as a passive foreign investment company.
In general, distributions of investment income properly reported by a Portfolio as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income in the hands of a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Portfolios shares. If the aggregate qualified dividends received by a Portfolio during any taxable year are 95% or more of the Portfolios gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Portfolios dividends (other than dividends properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.
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In general, dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of a Portfolio will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of eligible dividends received by a Portfolio from domestic corporations for the taxable year. A dividend will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (a) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Portfolio has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (b) to the extent that the Portfolio is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (x) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Portfolio or (y) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)). The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio does not expect Portfolio distributions to be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Any distribution of income that is attributable to (i) income received by a Portfolio in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (ii) dividend income received by a Portfolio on securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Portfolio, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.
If a Portfolio makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of the Portfolios current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of such shareholders tax basis in its shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholders tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.
If a Portfolio holds, directly or indirectly, one or more tax credit bonds on one or more applicable dates during a taxable year, the Portfolio may elect to permit its shareholders to claim a tax credit on their income tax returns equal to each shareholders proportionate share of tax credits from the bond otherwise allowed to the Portfolio. In such a case, shareholders must include in gross income (as interest) their proportionate share of the income attributable to the tax credits. A shareholders ability to claim a tax credit associated with one or more tax credit bonds may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, and the amount of the tax credits may not exceed the amount reported by the Portfolio in a written notice to shareholders. Even if a Portfolio is eligible to pass through tax credits to shareholders, the Portfolio may choose not to do so.
As required by federal law, detailed federal tax information with respect to each calendar year will be furnished to each shareholder early in the succeeding year.
Tax Implications of Certain Portfolio Investments
Special Rules for Debt Obligations . Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) will be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, original issue discount (OID) is treated as interest income and is included in a Portfolios income and required to be distributed by the Portfolio over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. In addition, payment-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Portfolio holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.
Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired in the secondary market by a Portfolio may be treated as having market discount. Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its revised issue price) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the accrued market discount on such debt security. Alternatively, a Portfolio may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Portfolio will be required to include the accrued market discount in income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in a Portfolios income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Portfolio elects.
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If a Portfolio holds the foregoing kinds of obligations, or other obligations subject to special rules under the Code, the Portfolio may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Portfolio actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Portfolio or, if necessary, by disposition of portfolio securities including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so. These dispositions may cause a Portfolio to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event the Portfolio realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend than they would have if the Portfolio had not held such obligations.
Securities Purchased at a Premium . Very generally, where a Portfolio purchases a bond at a price that exceeds the redemption price at maturity that is, at a premium the premium is amortizable over the remaining term of the bond. In the case of a taxable bond, if a Portfolio makes an election applicable to all such bonds it purchases, which election is irrevocable without consent of the IRS, the Portfolio reduces the current taxable income from the bond by the amortized premium and reduces its tax basis in the bond by the amount of such offset; upon the disposition or maturity of such bonds acquired on or after January 4, 2013, the Portfolio is permitted to deduct any remaining premium allocable to a prior period.
A portion of the OID accrued on certain high yield discount obligations may not be deductible to the issuer and will instead be treated as a dividend paid by the issuer for purposes of the dividends-received deduction. In such cases, if the issuer of the high yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by a Portfolio may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction to the extent attributable to the deemed dividend portion of such OID.
At-risk or Defaulted Securities . Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Portfolios. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Portfolio may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount; whether, when or to what extent the Portfolio should recognize market discount on a debt obligation; when and to what extent a Portfolio may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities; and how a Portfolio should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a Portfolio when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Certain Investments in REITs . Any investment by a Portfolio in equity securities of real estate investment trusts qualifying as such under Subchapter M of the Code (REITs) may result in the Portfolios receipt of cash in excess of the REITs earnings; if the Portfolio distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Portfolio shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a Portfolio from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.
Certain Investments in Mortgage Pooling Vehicles . Certain Portfolios may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) (including by investing in residual interests in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (TMPs). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Portfolios income (including income allocated to the Portfolio from certain pass-through entities) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a RIC, such as a Portfolio, will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, a RIC investing in such securities may not be a suitable investment for charitable remainder trusts, as noted below.
In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and that otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.
Foreign Currency Transactions . Any transaction by a Portfolio in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations or certain foreign currency options, futures contracts or forward contracts (or similar instruments) may give rise
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to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Any such net gains could require a larger dividend toward the end of the calendar year. Any such net losses will generally reduce and potentially require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate a Portfolios distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Portfolio to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies . Equity investments by a Portfolio in certain passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) could potentially subject the Portfolio to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company. This tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Portfolio shareholders. However, a Portfolio may elect to avoid the imposition of that tax. For example, a Portfolio may elect to treat a PFIC as a qualified electing fund ( i.e. , make a QEF election), in which case the Portfolio will be required to include its share of the PFICs income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC. A Portfolio also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings to the market as though it had sold (and, solely for purposes of this mark-to-market election, repurchased) its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Portfolios taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Portfolio to avoid taxation. Either of these elections therefore may require a Portfolio to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Portfolios total return. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.
Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, a Portfolio may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.
Options and Futures . In general, option premiums received by a Portfolio are not immediately included in the income of the Portfolio. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Portfolio transfers or otherwise terminates the option ( e.g. , through a closing transaction). If a call option written by a Portfolio is exercised and the Portfolio sells or delivers the underlying stock, the Portfolio generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the Portfolio minus (b) the Portfolios basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a Portfolio pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Portfolio generally will subtract the premium received for purposes of computing its cost basis in the securities purchased. Gain or loss arising in respect of a termination of a Portfolios obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the Portfolio is greater or less than the amount paid by the Portfolio (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a Portfolio expires unexercised, the Portfolio generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
A Portfolios options activities may include transactions constituting straddles for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is, that trigger the U.S. federal income tax straddle rules contained primarily in Section 1092 of the Code. Such straddles include, for example, positions in a particular security, or an index of securities, and one or more options that offset the former position, including options that are covered by a Portfolios long position in the subject security. Very generally, where applicable, Section 1092 requires (i) that losses be deferred on positions deemed to be offsetting positions with respect to substantially similar or related property, to the extent of unrealized gain in the latter, and (ii) that the holding period of such a straddle position that has not already been held for the long-term holding period be terminated and begin anew once the position is no longer part of a straddle. Options on single stocks that are not deep in the money may constitute qualified covered calls, which generally are not subject to the straddle rules; the holding period on stock underlying qualified covered calls that are in the money although not deep in the money will be suspended during the period that such calls are outstanding. Thus, the straddle rules and the rules governing qualified covered calls could cause gains that would otherwise constitute long-term capital gains to be treated as short-term capital gains, and distributions that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income or qualify for the dividends-received deduction to fail to satisfy the holding period requirements and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income or fail to qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction, as the case may be.
The tax treatment of certain positions entered into by a Portfolio, including regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency positions and certain listed non-equity options, will be governed by section 1256 of the Code (section 1256 contracts). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (60/40), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, section 1256 contracts held by a Portfolio at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are marked to market with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable.
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Derivatives, Hedging, and Related Transactions . In addition to the special rules described above in respect of futures and options transactions, a Portfolios transactions in other derivative instruments ( e.g. , forward contracts and swap agreements), as well as any of its hedging, short sale, securities loan or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules ( e.g. , notional principal contract, straddle, constructive sale, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Portfolio are treated as ordinary or capital, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the Portfolio, defer losses to the Portfolio, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Portfolios securities, thereby affecting whether capital gains and losses are treated as short-term or long-term. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders.
Because these and other tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Portfolio has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a Portfolio-level tax.
Commodity-Linked Instruments and Investments in the Strategic Real Return Portfolio . A Portfolios direct or indirect investments in commodities and commodity-linked instruments, including, in the case of the Strategic Real Return Portfolio, through the activities of the Subsidiary, as described below, can be limited by the Portfolios intention to qualify as a RIC, and can bear on a Portfolios ability to so qualify. Income and gains from commodities and certain commodity-linked instruments does not constitute qualifying income to a RIC for purposes of the 90% gross income test described above. The tax treatment of some other commodity-linked instruments in which a Portfolio might invest is not certain, in particular with respect to whether income or gains from such instruments constitute qualifying income to a RIC. If a Portfolio were to treat income or gain from a particular instrument as qualifying income and the income or gain were later determined not to constitute qualifying income and, together with any other nonqualifying income, caused the Portfolios nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Portfolio would fail to qualify as a RIC unless it is eligible to and does pay a tax at the Portfolio level.
The Strategic Real Return Portfolio intends to gain exposure to commodities and commodity-related investments, in whole or in part, through the Strategic Real Return Portfolios investment in the Subsidiary. In the past, the IRS issued private letter rulings to RICs to the effect that income the RIC is deemed to earn from its wholly-owned subsidiary is qualifying income to the RIC for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement for qualification as a RIC, without regard to whether the deemed income is currently paid to the RIC in the form of a cash dividend (repatriated). Each of these rulings applies only to the taxpayer that requested it, and the Strategic Real Return Portfolio may not use or cite them as precedent. The IRS has suspended the issuance of such rulings. In the absence of such a ruling (or guidance issued by the IRS to the same or similar effect), the Strategic Real Return Portfolio will seek other means of ensuring it satisfies the qualifying income requirement with respect to income from its investment in the Subsidiary, including but not limited to, ensuring that the Subsidiary timely repatriates its earnings and profits.
The Subsidiary is wholly-owned by the Strategic Real Return Portfolio. A U.S. person who owns (directly, indirectly or constructively) 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a foreign corporation is a United States Shareholder for purposes of the controlled foreign corporation (CFC) provisions of the Code. A foreign corporation is a CFC if, on any day of its taxable year, more than 50 percent of the voting power or value of its stock is owned (directly, indirectly or constructively) by United States Shareholders. Because the Strategic Real Return Portfolio is a U.S. person that owns all of the stock of the Subsidiary, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio is a United States Shareholder and the Subsidiary is a CFC. As a United States Shareholder, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio is required to include in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes, as ordinary income, all of the Subsidiarys subpart F income, whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary, which may increase the ordinary income recognized by the Strategic Real Return Portfolio. Subpart F income generally includes interest, original issue discount, dividends, net gains from the disposition of stocks or securities, receipts with respect to securities loans and net payments received with respect to equity swaps and similar derivatives. Subpart F income also includes the excess of gains over losses from transactions (including futures, forward and similar transactions) in commodities. It is expected that all of the Subsidiarys income will be subpart F income. The Strategic Real Return Portfolios recognition of the Subsidiarys subpart F income will increase the Strategic Real Return Portfolios tax basis in the Subsidiarys shares. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Strategic Real Return Portfolio will be tax-free, to the extent of its previously undistributed subpart F income, and will correspondingly reduce the Strategic Real Return Portfolios tax basis in the Subsidiarys shares. Subpart F income is generally treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiarys underlying income. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is generally not available to offset the income earned by the Strategic Real Return Portfolio.
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Book-Tax Differences . Certain of a Portfolios investments in derivative instruments and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and any of the Portfolios transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, are likely to produce a difference between its book income and the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any). If such a difference arises, and a Portfolios book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income, the Portfolio could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment and to avoid an entity-level tax. In the alternative, if a Portfolios book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and net tax-exempt income, the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Portfolios remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipients basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset.
Investments in Other RICs . If a Portfolio receives dividends from underlying RICs (an underlying RIC) and the investment company reports such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Portfolio is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Portfolio meets the holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying RIC.
If a Portfolio receives dividends from an underlying RIC, and the investment company reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Portfolio is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of its distributions as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, provided the Portfolio meets the holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying RIC.
Foreign Taxation
A Portfolios income, proceeds and gains from sources within foreign countries may be subject to non-U.S. withholding or other taxes, which will reduce the yield on those investments. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If, at the close of a Portfolios taxable year, more than 50% of the assets of the Portfolio consists of the securities of foreign corporations, the Portfolio may elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns for their pro rata portions of qualified taxes paid by a Portfolio to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities that the Portfolio has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes paid by such Portfolio. A shareholders ability to claim an offsetting foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by a Portfolio is subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, which may result in the shareholders not receiving a full credit or deduction (if any) for the amount of such taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize on their U.S. federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but not a deduction) for such foreign taxes. Even if a Portfolio were eligible to make such an election for a given year, it may determine not to do so.
Backup Withholding
A Portfolio generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Portfolio with a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN), who has under- reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Portfolio that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding rate is 28%.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders
Income of a RIC that would be unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally constitute UBTI when distributed to a tax-exempt shareholder of the RIC. Notwithstanding this blocking effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Portfolio if shares in the Portfolio constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b).
A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a Portfolio recognizes excess inclusion income derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICS or equity interests in TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Portfolio exceeds the Portfolios investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Portfolio).
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In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in section 664 of the Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a RIC that recognizes excess inclusion income. Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a RIC that recognizes excess inclusion income, then the RIC will be subject to a tax on that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, each Portfolio may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholders distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholders interest in a Portfolio. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in each Portfolio.
Redemptions and Exchanges
Redemptions and exchanges of each Portfolios shares are taxable events and, accordingly, shareholders may realize gain or loss on these transactions. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Portfolio shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Portfolio shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. Further, subject to the discussion below regarding floating NAV money market funds, all or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Portfolio shares will be disallowed under the Codes wash-sale rule if other substantially identical shares are purchased, including by means of dividend reinvestment, within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Upon the redemption or exchange of shares of a Portfolio, the Portfolio or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide you and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Portfolio shares you redeemed or exchanged. See the Portfolios prospectuses for more information.
The IRS has issued proposed regulations, on which taxpayers may rely, that permit a simplified method of accounting for gains and losses realized upon the disposition of shares of a regulated investment company that is a so-called floating NAV money market fund, such as the 60 Day Fund and the Liquid Assets Fund. Very generally, rather than realizing gain or loss upon each redemption of a share, a shareholder using such method of accounting will recognize gain or loss with respect to such a Funds shares for a given computation period (the shareholders taxable year or shorter period selected by the shareholder) equal to the value of all the Fund shares held by the shareholder on the last day of the computation period, less the value of all Fund shares held by the shareholder on the last day of the preceding computation period, less the shareholders net investment in the Fund (generally, purchases minus redemptions) made during the computation period. The IRS has also published guidance providing that the wash-sale of the Codedisallowing losses on taxable dispositions of Fund shares where other substantially identical shares are purchased, including by means of dividend reinvestment, within 30 days before or after the dispositionwill not apply to redemptions of shares in a money market fund subject to the floating NAV amendments. The proposed regulations and IRS guidance remain subject to change. Shareholders of a Fund are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their investment in the Fund.
Tax Shelter Reporting
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the 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. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Non-U.S. Shareholders
Non-U.S. shareholders in the Portfolio should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares in the Portfolio. Distributions by the Portfolio to shareholders that are not U.S. persons within the meaning of the Code (foreign shareholders) properly reported by the Portfolio as (1) Capital Gain Dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends and (3) interest-related dividends, each as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, generally are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax.
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In general, the Code defines (1) short-term capital gain dividends as distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses and (2) interest-related dividends as distributions from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, in each case to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Portfolio in a written notice to shareholders.
The exceptions to withholding for Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain dividends do not apply to (A) distributions to an individual foreign shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (B) distributions attributable to gain that is (or is treated as) effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States, including distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below. If the Portfolio invests in a RIC that pays such distributions to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Portfolio to foreign shareholders. The exception to withholding for interest-related dividends does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder (i) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (ii) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign shareholder is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (iii) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (iv) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation). A RIC is permitted to report such parts of its dividends as are eligible to be treated as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends, but is not required to do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Portfolio reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders.
Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of withholding rules to their accounts.
Distributions by a Portfolio to foreign shareholders other than Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends (e.g., dividends attributable to dividend and foreign-source interest income or to short-term capital gains or U.S.source interest income to which the exception from withholding described above does not apply) are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).
A foreign shareholder is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Portfolio unless (a) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (b) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met, or (c) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests (USRPIs) apply to the foreign shareholders sale of shares of the Portfolio (as described below).
Foreign shareholders with respect to whom income from a Portfolio is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign person within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Portfolio at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Portfolio and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.
Special rules would apply if a Portfolio were a qualified investment entity (QIE) because it is either a U.S. real property holding
corporation (USRPHC) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very
generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum
of the fair market values of the corporations USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other trade or
business assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in
a USRPHC or, very generally, an entity that has been a USRPHC in the last five years. A Portfolio that holds, directly or indirectly,
significant interests in REITs may be a USRPHC. Interests in domestically controlled QIEs, including REITs and RICs that are QIEs,
not-greater-than-10% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs and not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded
classes of stock in RICs generally are not USRPIs, but these exceptions do not apply for purposes of determining whether a Portfolio is a QIE. If an interest in a Portfolio were a USRPI, the Portfolio would be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.
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If a Portfolio were a QIE under a special look-through rule, any distributions by the Portfolio to a foreign shareholder attributable
directly or indirectly to (i) distributions received by the Portfolio from a lower-tier REIT that the Portfolio is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands and (ii) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Portfolio, would retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Portfolios foreign shareholders and would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholders current and past ownership of the Portfolio. Each Portfolio generally does not expect that it will be a QIE.
Foreign shareholders of a Portfolio also may be subject to wash sale rules to prevent the avoidance of the tax-filing and payment
obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Portfolio shares.
Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisers and, if holding shares through intermediaries, their intermediaries, concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Portfolios.
In order for a foreign shareholder to qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or from lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from back back-up withholding, the foreign shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or substitute form). Non-U.S. investors in the Portfolios should consult their tax advisers in this regard.
Special rules (including withholding and reporting requirements) apply to foreign partnerships and those holding Portfolio shares through foreign partnerships. Additional considerations may apply to foreign trusts and estates. Investors holding Portfolio shares through foreign entities should consult their tax advisers about their particular situation.
A foreign shareholder may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the U.S. federal income tax on income referred to above.
Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect To Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
Shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of a Portfolio by vote or value could be required to report annually their financial interest in the Portfolios foreign financial accounts, if any, on FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor, and persons investing in a Portfolio through an intermediary should contact their intermediary, regarding the applicability to them of this reporting requirement.
Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements
Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, FATCA) generally require a Portfolio to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement (an IGA) between the United States and a foreign government. If a shareholder fails to provide the requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, the Portfolio may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays, and 30% of the gross proceeds of share redemptions or exchanges and certain Capital Gain Dividends it pays on or after January 1, 2017 (which date, under recent Treasury guidance, is expected to be delayed until on or after January 1, 2019). If a payment by a Portfolio is subject to FATCA withholding, the Portfolio is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above ( e.g. , Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends).
Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax adviser regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investors own situation, including investments through an intermediary.
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General Considerations
The U.S. federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information only. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisers regarding the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding, and disposing of shares of the Portfolios, as well as the effects of state, local, foreign, and other tax laws and any proposed tax law changes.
Investment companies, common and commingled trust funds and similar organizations and entities may continuously invest in the Portfolios.
The audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 for the Portfolios in operation at that date are included in the Annual Report of the Trust (the Annual Report), which was filed with the SEC on March 4, 2016 as part of the Trusts filing on Form N-CSR (SEC Accession No. 0001193125-15-087273) and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. The Annual Report is available, without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 392-0869.
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RATINGS OF DEBT INSTRUMENTS
MOODYS INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (MOODYS) LONG TERM DEBT RATINGS. The following is a description of Moodys debt instrument ratings.
Aaa Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A Bonds that are rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa Baa rated bonds are considered medium-grade obligations, and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics and are subject to moderate credit risk.
Ba Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B and Lower Bonds which are rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. Bonds which are rated
Caa are of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Moodys applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a midrange ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
P-1 Moodys short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers (or supporting institutions) to honor short-term financial obligations. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months. The designation Prime-1 or P-1 indicates a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
STANDARD & POORS RATING GROUP (S&P). S&Ps ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations: (i) the likelihood of default capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation; (ii) the nature of and provisions of the obligation; and (iii) the protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors rights.
AAA Bonds rated AAA are highest grade debt obligations. This rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest.
AA Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality obligations. Their capacity to pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they differ from AAA issues only by a small degree.
A Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher-rated categories.
A-1
BBB Bonds rated BBB exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and principal.
BB and Lower Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such bonds may have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
The ratings AA to C may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
A-1- Standard & Poors short-term issue credit ratings are current assessments of the likelihood of timely payments of debt having original maturity of no more than 365 days. The A-1 designation indicates that the capacity for payment is extremely strong.
A-2- The capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is strong. However, a short-term debt with this rating is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debts in higher rating categories.
Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
FITCH RATINGS. (FITCH).
Fitch Ratings cover a global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the securities or other obligations they issue.
AAA Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB Speculative BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.
Fitch Ratings appends the modifiers + or - to denote relative status within the major rating categories.
A short-term rating has a time horizon of up to 13 months for most obligations, or up to 36 months for US public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
F1. Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2. Good short-term credit quality. A Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
A-2
F3. Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B. Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C. High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.
D. Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a specific short-term obligation.
E. Restricted Default. Indicates an entity has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations.
A-3
SSGA FUNDS
STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
As of February 13, 2014
The Boards of Trustees of the SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust (each a Trust) 1 have adopted the following policy and procedures with respect to voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trusts investment portfolios.
1. | Proxy Voting Policy |
The policy of the Trust is to delegate the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trust to SSgA Funds Management, Inc., the Trusts investment adviser (the Adviser), subject to the Trustees continuing oversight.
2. | Fiduciary Duty |
The right to vote proxies with respect to a portfolio security held by the Trust is an asset of the Trust. The Adviser acts as a fiduciary of the Trust and must vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best interest of the Trust and its shareholders.
3. | Proxy Voting Procedures |
A. At least annually, the Adviser shall present to the Board its policies, procedures and other guidelines for voting proxies (Policy). In addition, the Adviser shall notify the Trustees of material changes to its Policy promptly and not later than the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees after such amendment is implemented.
B. With respect to any proxies that the Adviser has identified as involving a conflict of interest, the Adviser shall submit a report indicating the nature of the conflict of interest and how that conflict was resolved with respect to the voting of the proxy at the next regular meeting of the Board or Trustees. For this purpose, a conflict of interest shall be deemed to occur when the Adviser, the principal underwriter of the Trust (the Principal Underwriter) or an affiliated person of the Adviser or the Principal Underwriter has a financial interest in a matter presented by a proxy to be voted on behalf of a Trust, other than the obligations the Adviser or the Principal Underwriter incurs as a service provider to the Trust, which may compromise the Advisers or Principal Underwriters independence of judgment and action in voting the proxy.
C. At least annually, the Adviser shall inform the Trustees that a record is available with respect to each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Trust during the year. Also see Section 5 below.
4. | Revocation of Authority to Vote |
The delegation by the Trustees of the authority to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Trust may be revoked by the Trustees, in whole or in part, at any time.
1 | Unless otherwise noted, the singular term Trust used throughout this document means each of SSgA Funds, State Street Master Funds and State Street Institutional Investment Trust. |
B-1
5. | Annual Filing of Proxy Voting Record |
The Adviser shall provide the required data for each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Trust to the Trust or its designated service provider in a timely manner and in a format acceptable to be filed in the Trusts annual proxy voting report on Form N-PX for the twelve-month period ended June 30. Form N-PX is required to be filed not later than August 31 of each year.
6. | Disclosures |
A. | The Trust shall include in its registration statement: |
1. A description of this policy and of the policies and procedures used by the Adviser to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities; and
2. A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the Securities and Exchange Commissions (the SEC) website.
B. | The Trust shall include in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders: |
1. A statement disclosing that a description of the policies and procedures used by or on behalf of the Trust to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Funds is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; through a specified Internet address, if applicable; and on the SECs website; and
2. A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the SECs website.
7. | Review of Policy |
The Trustees shall review this policy to determine its continued sufficiency as necessary from time to time.
B-2
APPENDIX C ADVISERS PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
March 2016
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.
C-1
FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
SSGA FM maintains Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines for select markets, including: the US, the EU, the UK, Australia, emerging markets and Japan. International markets that do not have specific guidelines are reviewed and voted consistent with our Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles; however, SSGA FM also endeavors to show sensitivity to local market practices when voting in these various markets.
SSGA FMs Approach to Proxy Voting and Issuer Engagement
At SSGA FM, we take our fiduciary duties as an asset manager very seriously. We have a dedicated team of corporate governance professionals who help us carry out our duties as a responsible investor. These duties include engaging with companies, developing and enhancing in-house corporate governance policies, analyzing corporate governance issues on a case-by-case basis at the company level, and exercising our voting rightsall to maximize shareholder value.
SSGA FMs Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles (the Principles) may take different perspectives on common governance issues that vary from one market to another and, likewise, engagement activity may take different forms in order to best achieve long-term engagement goals. We believe that proxy voting and engagement with portfolio companies is often the most direct and productive way shareholders can exercise their ownership rights, and taken together, we view these tools to be an integral part of the overall investment process.
We believe engagement and voting activity have a direct relationship. As a result, the integration of our engagement activities, while leveraging the exercise of our voting rights, provides a meaningful shareholder tool that we believe protects and enhances the long-term economic value of the holdings in our client accounts. SSGA FM maximizes its voting power and engagement by maintaining a centralized proxy voting and active ownership process covering all holdings, regardless of strategy. Despite the different investment views and objectives across SSGA FM, depending on the product or strategy, the fiduciary responsibilities of share ownership and voting for which SSGA FM has voting discretion are carried out with a single voice and objective.
The Principles support governance structures that we believe add to, or maximize shareholder value at the companies held in our clients portfolios. SSGA FM conducts issuer specific engagements with companies to discuss our principles, including sustainability related risks. In addition, we encourage issuers to find ways of increasing the amount of direct communication board members have with shareholders. We believe direct communication with executive board members and independent non-executive
directors is critical to helping companies understand shareholder concerns. Conversely, where appropriate, we conduct collaborative engagement activities with multiple shareholders and communicate with company representatives about common concerns.
In conducting our engagements, SSGA FM also evaluates the various factors that play into the corporate governance framework of a country, including the macroeconomic conditions and broader political system, the quality of regulatory oversight, the enforcement of property and shareholder rights and the independence of the judiciary to name a few. SSGA FM understands that regulatory requirements and investor expectations relating to governance practices and engagement activities differ from country-to-country. As a result, SSGA FM engages with issuers, regulators, or both, depending on the market. SSGA FM also is a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy at the country level as well as issuer specific concerns at a company level.
To help mitigate company specific risk, the team may collaborate with members of the active investment teams to engage with companies on corporate governance issues and address any specific concerns, or to get more information regarding shareholder items that are to be voted on at upcoming shareholder meetings. Outside of proxy voting season, SSGA FM conducts issuer specific engagements with companies covering various corporate governance and sustainability related topics.
The SSGA 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
SSGA Funds Management, Inc | 2 |
FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
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.
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.
Proxy Voting Procedure
Oversight
The SSGA 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 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.
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FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
Directors and Boards
The election of directors is one of the most important fiduciary duties SSGA FM performs as a shareholder. SSGA FM believes that well-governed companies can protect and pursue shareholder interests better and withstand the challenges of an uncertain economic environment. As such, SSGA FM seeks to vote director elections in a way which we, as a fiduciary, believe will maximize the long-term value of each portfolios holdings.
Principally, a board acts on behalf of shareholders by protecting their interests and preserving their rights. This concept establishes the standard by which board and director performance is measured. To achieve this fundamental principle, the role of the board, in SSGA FMs view, is to carry out its responsibilities in the best long-term interest of the company and its shareholders. An independent and effective board oversees management, provides guidance on strategic matters, selects the CEO and other senior executives, creates a succession plan for the board and management, provides risk oversight and assesses the performance of the CEO and management. In contrast, management implements the business and capital allocation strategies and runs the companys day-to-day operations. As part of SSGA FMs engagement process, SSGA FM routinely discusses the importance of these responsibilities with the boards of issuers.
SSGA FM believes the quality of a board is a measure of director independence, director succession planning, board evaluations and refreshment and company governance practices. In voting to elect nominees, SSGA FM considers many factors. SSGA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. A sufficiently independent 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 dilutive to its shareholders.
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, 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
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FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
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.
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.
Fixed Income Stewardship
The two elements of SSGA FMs fixed income stewardship program are:
Proxy Voting:
While matters that come up for a vote at bondholder meetings vary by jurisdiction, examples of common proxy voting resolutions at bondholder meetings include:
| Approving amendments to debt covenants and/or terms of issuance; |
| Authorizing procedural matters such as filing of required documents/other formalities; |
| Approving debt restructuring plans; |
| Abstaining from challenging the bankruptcy trustees; |
| Authorizing repurchase of issued debt security; |
| Approving the placement of unissued debt securities under the control of directors; and, |
| Approve spin-off/absorption proposals. |
Given the nature of the items that come up for vote at bondholder meetings, SSGA FM takes a case-by-case approach to voting bondholder resolutions. Where necessary, SSGA FM will engage with issuers on voting matters prior to arriving at voting decisions. All voting decisions will be made in the best interest of our clients.
Issuer Engagement:
SSGA FM recognizes that debt holders have limited leverage with companies on a day-to-day basis. However, we believe that given the size of our holdings in corporate debt, SSGA FM can meaningfully influence ESG practices of companies through issuer engagement. Our guidelines for engagement with fixed income issuers broadly follow the engagement guidelines for our equity holdings as described above.
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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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FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
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For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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. 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.
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.
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March 2016
Managing Conflicts of Interest Arising From SSGAS Proxy Voting and Engagement Activity
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 Arising From SSGAS Proxy Voting and Engagement Activity
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, serves as a director on the board of a listed company) 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.
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Managing Conflicts of Interest Arising From SSGAS Proxy Voting and Engagement Activity
ssga.com
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
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© 2016 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. INST-6331 0316 Exp. Date: 03/31/2017 |
March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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. |
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
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 not been responsive to a shareholder proposal which received a majority shareholder support at the last annual or special meeting; consideration maybe given if 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 bylaws that negatively impact SSGA FMs shareholder rights (such as fee-shifting, forum selection and exclusion service bylaws) 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 by-laws 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
In general, SSGA FM believes that proxy access is a fundamental right and an accountability mechanism for all long-term shareholders. SSGA FM will consider proposals relating to Proxy Access on a case-by-case basis. SSGA FM will support shareholder proposals that set parameters to empower long-term shareholders while providing management the flexibility to design a process that is appropriate for the companys circumstances.
SSGA FM will review the terms of all other proposals and will support those proposals that have been introduced in the spirit of enhancing shareholder rights.
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 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.
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
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conducting both activities and will support the establishment of a selection committee responsible for the final approval of significant management consultant contract awards where existing firms are already acting in an auditing function.
In circumstances where other fees include fees related to initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs, and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees which are determined to be an exception to the standard non-audit fee category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit/audit-related fees/tax compliance and preparation for purposes of determining whether non-audit fees are excessive.
SSGA FM will support the discharge of auditors and requirements that auditors attend the annual meeting of shareholders. 1
Capital Related Issues
Capital structure proposals include requests by management for approval of amendments to the certificate of incorporation that will alter the capital structure of the company.
The most common request is for an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock, usually in conjunction with a stock split or dividend. Typically, requests that are not unreasonably dilutive or enhance the rights of common shareholders are supported. In considering authorized share proposals, the typical threshold for approval is 100% over current authorized shares. However, the threshold may be increased if the company offers a specific need or purpose (merger, stock splits, growth purposes, etc.). All proposals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis taking into account the companys specific financial situation.
Increase in Authorized Common Shares
In general, SSGA FM supports share increases for general corporate purposes up to 100% of current authorized stock.
SSGA FM supports increases for specific corporate purposes up to 100% of the specific need plus 50% of current authorized common stock for US firms.
When applying the thresholds, SSGA FM will also consider the nature of the specific need, such as mergers and acquisitions and stock splits.
Increase in Authorized Preferred Shares
SSGA FM votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to increase the number of preferred shares.
Generally, SSGA FM will vote for the authorization of preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the
voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.
SSGA FM will support proposals to create declawed blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense). However, SSGA FM will vote against proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred stock authorized for issuance when no shares have been issued or reserved for a specific purpose.
Unequal Voting Rights
SSGA FM will not support proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will vote against new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSGA FM will not support capitalization changes that add blank check classes of stock (i.e. classes of stock with undefined voting rights) or classes that dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.
However, SSGA FM will support capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, 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. |
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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 by-laws to add or delete a provision that is deemed to have an anti-takeover effect. The majority of these proposals deal with managements attempt to add some provision that makes a hostile takeover more difficult or will protect incumbent management in the event of a change in control of the company.
Proposals that reduce shareholders rights or have the effect of entrenching incumbent management will not be supported.
Proposals that enhance the right of shareholders to make their own choices as to the desirability of a merger or other proposal are supported.
Shareholder Rights Plans
SSGA FM will support mandates requiring shareholder approval of a shareholder rights plans (poison pill) and repeals of various anti-takeover related provisions.
In general, SSGA FM will vote against the adoption or renewal of a US issuers shareholder rights plan (poison pill).
SSGA FM will vote for an amendment to a shareholder rights plan (poison pill) where the terms of the new plans are more favorable to shareholders ability to accept unsolicited offers (i.e. if one of the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20%, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no dead hand, slow hand, no hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill, and (iv) inclusion of a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced).
Special Meetings
SSGA FM will vote for shareholder proposals related to special meetings at companies that do not provide shareholders the right to call for a special meeting in their by-laws 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 by-laws 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 by-laws 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.
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Remuneration Issues
Despite the differences among the types of plans and the awards possible there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides the analysis of all compensation plans; namely, are the terms of the plan designed to provide an incentive for executives and/or employees to align their interests with those of the shareholders and thus work toward enhancing shareholder value. Plans which benefit participants only when the shareholders also benefit are those most likely to be supported.
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation and Frequency
SSGA FM believes executive compensation plays a critical role in aligning executives interest with shareholders, attracting, retaining and incentivizing key talent, and ensuring positive correlation between the performance achieved by management and the benefits derived by shareholders. SSGA FM supports management proposals on executive compensation where there is a strong relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period. SSGA FM seeks adequate disclosure of different compensation elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. Further, shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance on an annual basis.
Employee Equity Award Plans
SSGA FM considers numerous criteria when examining equity award proposals. Generally, SSGA FM does not vote against plans for lack of performance or vesting criteria. Rather, the main criteria that will result in a vote against an equity award plan are:
Excessive voting power dilution To assess the dilutive effect, we divide the number of shares required to fully fund the proposed plan, the number of authorized but unissued shares and the issued but unexercised shares by the fully diluted share count. SSGA FM reviews that number in light of certain factors, including the industry of the issuer.
Historical option grants Excessive historical option grants over the past three years. Plans that provide for historical grant patterns of greater than five to eight 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 by-laws 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 by-laws 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 a voting item; |
| Proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the by-laws; and |
| Proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal. |
Environmental and Social Issues
As a fiduciary, we consider the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business.
Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSGA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face
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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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066 155. 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.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 into 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 FM expects boards of ASX-300 listed companies to be comprised of at least a majority of independent directors. At all other listed companies, SSGA FM expects boards to be comprised of at least one-third independent directors.
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; |
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| 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 Australian 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 and 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.
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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 to 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.
Pre-emption rights are a fundamental right for shareholders to protect their investment in a company. Where companies seeks to issue new shares without 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 repurchase requests that allow share repurchases 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, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported. SSGA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSGA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
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Anti-Takeover Measures
SSGA FM opposes anti-takeover defenses, such as authorities for the board, when subject to a hostile takeover, to issue warrants convertible into shares to existing shareholders.
Remuneration
Executive Pay
There is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSGA FMs analysis of executive paythere should be a direct relationship between remuneration and company performance over the long-term. Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration reports, SSGA FM considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSGA FM may oppose remuneration reports where there seems to be a misalignment between pay and shareholders interests and where incentive policies and schemes have a re-test option or feature. SSGA FM may also vote against the re-election of members of the remuneration committee if we have serious concerns over remuneration practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure to review its approach.
Equity Incentive 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
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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
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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. |
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 favor of the annual election of directors, we recognize that director terms vary considerably in different European markets. SSGA FM may vote against article/by-law 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 and 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, with 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 to 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.
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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.
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 favors 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 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 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.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders,
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 anti-takeover 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 anti-takeover 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 Incentive Plans
SSGA FM may not support proposals on equity-based incentive plans where insufficient information is provided on matters such as grant limits, performance metrics, performance and vesting periods and overall dilution. SSGA FM does not generally support options under such plans being issued at a discount to market price or plans that allow for re-testing of performance metrics.
NonExecutive Director Pay
In European markets, authorities seeking shareholder approval for non-executive directors fees are generally not controversial. SSGA FM generally supports resolutions regarding directors fees unless disclosure is poor and we are unable to determine whether they are excessive relative to fees paid by other companies in the same country or industry. SSGA FM will evaluate on a company-by-company basis any non-cash or performance related pay to non-executive directors.
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Risk Management
SSGA FM believes that risk management is a key function of the board, which is responsible for setting the overall risk appetite of a company and for providing oversight on the risk management process established by senior executives at a company. SSGA FM allows boards discretion over how they provide oversight in this area. However, SSGA FM expects companies to disclose how the board provides oversight on its risk management system and to identify key risks facing the company. Boards should also review existing and emerging risks as they can change with a changing political and economic landscape, or as companies diversify or expand their operations into new areas.
Environmental and Social Issues
As a fiduciary, SSGA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSGA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSGA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result in anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.
In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSGA FMs team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint. SSGA FM may also take action against the re-election of members of the board if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure.
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ssga.com
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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
SSGA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. However, several factors such as low overall independence level requirements by market regulators, poor biographical disclosure of director profiles, prevalence of related-party transactions and the general resistance from controlling shareholders to increase board independence renders the election of directors as one of the most important fiduciary duties SSGA FM performs in emerging market companies.
SSGA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise. SSGA FM expects companies to meet minimum overall board independence standards as defined in a corporate governance code or market practice. Therefore, in several countries, SSGA FM will vote against select non-independent directors if overall board independence levels do not meet market standards.
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. |
In some countries, market practice calls for the establishment of a board level audit committee. In such cases, SSGA FM believes companies should have an audit committee that is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the company, appointing external auditors, monitoring their qualifications and independence as well as their effectiveness and resource levels. Based on our desire to enhance the quality of financial and accounting oversight provided by independent directors, SSGA FM expects that listed companies have an audit committee that is constituted of a majority of independent directors.
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
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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-appointment 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-shareholdings 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 and a definitive number of shares to be repurchased.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings,
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. |
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.
Remuneration
SSGA FM considers it to be the boards responsibility to set appropriate levels 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.
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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 investigations, charges of fraud or other indication of significant concerns.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 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.
Japanese companies have the option of having a traditional board of directors with statutory auditors, a board with a committee structure, or a hybrid board with board level audit committee. SSGA FM will generally support companies that seek shareholder approval to adopt a committee or hybrid board 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 and 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 two outside directors, 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 independent directors. |
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
For companies with a committee structure or a hybrid board structure, SSGA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering general market practice, as well as the independence of the nominee. SSGA FM also takes into consideration the overall independence level of the committees. In determining director independence, SSGA FM considers the following factors:
| Participation in related-party transactions and other business relations with the company; |
| Past employment with the company; |
| Provides professional services to the company; and |
| Family ties with the company. |
Regardless of board structure, SSGA FM may oppose the election of a director for the following reasons:
| Failure to attend board meetings; or |
| In instances of egregious actions related to a directors service on the board. |
Indemnification and Limitations on Liability
Generally, SSGA FM supports proposals to limit directors and statutory auditors liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. SSGA FM believes limitations and indemnification are necessary to attract and retain qualified directors.
Audit Related Items
SSGA FM believes that a companys auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should have the opportunity to vote on their appointment at the annual meeting.
Ratifying External Auditors
SSGA FM will generally support the appointment of external auditors unless the external auditor is perceived as being non-independent and there are concerns about the accounts presented and the audit procedures followed.
Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors
SSGA FM generally opposes limiting the legal liability of audit firms as we believe this could create a negative impact on the quality of the audit function.
Capital Structure, Reorganization and Mergers
SSGA FM supports the one share one vote policy and favors a share structure where all shares have equal voting rights. SSGA FM supports proposals to abolish voting caps or multiple voting rights and will oppose measures to introduce these types of restrictions on shareholder rights.
SSGA FM believes pre-emption rights should be introduced for shareholders in order to provide adequate protection from being overly diluted from the issuance of new shares or convertible securities to third parties or a small number of select shareholders.
Unequal Voting Rights
SSGA FM generally opposes proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will generally oppose new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSGA FM will not support capitalization changes that add classes of stock with undefined voting rights or classes that may dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.
However, SSGA FM will support capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.
Increase in Authorized Capital
SSGA FM generally supports increases in authorized capital where the company provides an adequate explanation for the use of shares. In the absence of an adequate explanation, SSGA FM may oppose the request if the increase in authorized capital exceeds 100 percent of the currently authorized capital. 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 percent or more of net income. SSGA FM may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent 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 Japanese 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.
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported.
SSGA FM evaluates mergers and structural reorganizations on a case-by-case basis. SSGA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSGA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
Anti-Takeover Measures
In general, SSGA FM believes that adoption of poison pills that have been structured to protect management and to prevent takeover bids from succeeding is not in shareholders interest. A shareholder rights plan may lead to management entrenchment and discourage legitimate tender offers and acquisitions. Even if the premium paid to companies with a shareholder rights plan is higher than that offered to unprotected firms, a companys chances of receiving a
takeover offer in the first place may be reduced by the presence of a shareholder rights plan.
Proposals that reduce shareholders rights or have the effect of entrenching incumbent management will not be supported.
Proposals that enhance the right of shareholders to make their own choices as to the desirability of a merger or other proposal are supported.
Shareholder Rights Plans
In evaluating poison pills, the following conditions must be met before SSGA FM will recommend a vote in favor.
SSGA FM will support the adoption or renewal of a Japanese issuers shareholder rights plans (poison pill) if the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20 percent, (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 percent, (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.
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
Approve Adjustment to Aggregate Compensation Ceiling for Directors
Remuneration for directors is generally reasonable. Typically, each company sets the director compensation parameters as an aggregate thereby limiting the total pay to all directors. When requesting a change, a company must disclose the last time the ceiling was adjusted and management provides the rationale for the ceiling increase. SSGA FM will generally support proposed increases to the ceiling if the company discloses the rationale for the increase. SSGA FM may oppose proposals to increase the ceiling if there has been corporate malfeasance or sustained poor performance.
Approve Annual Bonuses for Directors/Statutory Auditors
In Japan, since there are no legal requirements that mandate companies to seek shareholder approval before awarding a bonus, SSGA FM believes that existing shareholder approval of the bonus should be considered best practice. As a result, SSGA FM supports management proposals on executive compensation where there is a strong relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period.
Approve Retirement Bonuses for Directors/Statutory Auditors
Retirement bonuses make up a sizeable portion of directors and auditors lifetime compensation and are based on board tenure. While many companies in Japan have abolished this practice, there remain many proposals seeking shareholder approval for the total amounts paid to directors and statutory auditors as a whole. In general, SSGA FM supports these payments unless the recipient is an outsider or in instances where the amount is not disclosed.
Approve Stock Plan
Most option plans in Japan are conservative, particularly at large companies. Japan corporate law requires companies to disclose the monetary value of the stock options for directors and/or statutory auditors. Some companies do not disclose the maximum number of options that can be issued per year and shareholders are unable to evaluate the dilution impact. In this case, SSGA FM cannot calculate the dilution level and, therefore, SSGA FM may oppose such plans for poor disclosure. SSGA FM also opposes plans that allow for the repricing of the exercise price.
Deep Discount Options
As Japanese companies move away from the retirement bonus system, deep discount options plans have become more popular. Typically, the exercise price is set at JPY 1 per share. SSGA FM evaluates deep discount options using the same criteria used to evaluate stock options as well as considering the vesting period.
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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For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
State Street Global Advisors |
© 2016 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. INST-6454 0316 Exp. Date: 03/31/2017 |
March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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. |
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.
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 and 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, with 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 to 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.
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 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.
State Street Global Advisors | 3 |
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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, 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 anti-takeover 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 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 Incentive 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.
State Street Global Advisors | 4 |
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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.
State Street Global Advisors | 5 |
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
ssga.com
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
State Street Global Advisors |
© 2016 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. INST-6453 0316 Exp. Date: 03/31/2017 |
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
(the Trust)
P.O. Box 5049
Boston, Massachusetts 02206
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
April 29, 2016
Fund |
TICKER |
|
STATE STREET EQUITY 500 INDEX FUND | ||
Administrative Shares | (STFAX) | |
Class R Shares | (SSFRX) | |
Service Shares | (STBIX) | |
Class A | (SSSVX) | |
Class I | (SSSWX) | |
Class K | (SSSYX) | |
STATE STREET AGGREGATE BOND INDEX FUND | ||
Class A | (SSFCX) | |
Class I | (SSFDX) | |
Class K | (SSFEX) | |
STATE STREET GLOBAL EQUITY EX-U.S. INDEX FUND | ||
Class A | (SSGHX) | |
Class I | (SSGJX) | |
Class K | (SSGLX) | |
STATE STREET CLARION GLOBAL REAL ESTATE INCOME FUND | ||
Class A | (SSRLX) | |
Class C | (SSRNX) | |
Class I | (SSRQX) | |
Class K | (SSRTX) | |
STATE STREET CLARION GLOBAL INFRASTRUCTURE & MLP FUND | ||
Class A | (SSISX) | |
Class C | (SSITX) | |
Class I | (SSIUX) | |
Class K | (SSIVX) | |
STATE STREET SMALL CAP EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND | ||
Class A | (SSEEX) | |
Class C | (SSEHX) | |
Class I | (SSEJX) | |
Class K | (SSEKX) | |
STATE STREET STRATEGIC REAL RETURN FUND | ||
Class A | (SSRFX) | |
Class C | (SSRHX) | |
Class I | (SSRJX) | |
Class K | (SSRKX) | |
STATE STREET TARGET RETIREMENT 2015 FUND | ||
Class A | (SSBBX) | |
Class C | (SSBEX) | |
Class I | (SSBFX) | |
Class K | (SSBHX) | |
STATE STREET TARGET RETIREMENT 2020 FUND | ||
Class A | (SSBJX) | |
Class C | (SSBLX) | |
Class I | (SSBNX) | |
Class K | (SSBOX) |
1
Fund |
TICKER |
|
STATE STREET TARGET RETIREMENT 2025 FUND | ||
Class A | (SSBPX) | |
Class C | (SSBQX) | |
Class I | (SSBRX) | |
Class K | (SSBSX) | |
STATE STREET TARGET RETIREMENT 2030 FUND | ||
Class A | (SSBUX) | |
Class C | (SSBVX) | |
Class I | (SSBWX) | |
Class K | (SSBYX) | |
STATE STREET TARGET RETIREMENT 2035 FUND | ||
Class A | (SSBZX) | |
Class C | (SSCHX) | |
Class I | (SSCJX) | |
Class K | (SSCKX) | |
STATE STREET TARGET RETIREMENT 2040 FUND | ||
Class A | (SSCLX) | |
Class C | (SSCMX) | |
Class I | (SSCNX) | |
Class K | (SSCQX) | |
STATE STREET TARGET RETIREMENT 2045 FUND | ||
Class A | (SSCUX) | |
Class C | (SSCWX) | |
Class I | (SSDDX) | |
Class K | (SSDEX) | |
STATE STREET TARGET RETIREMENT 2050 FUND | ||
Class A | (SSDFX) | |
Class C | (SSDHX) | |
Class I | (SSDJX) | |
Class K | (SSDLX) | |
STATE STREET TARGET RETIREMENT 2055 FUND | ||
Class A | (SSDMX) | |
Class C | (SSDNX) | |
Class I | (SSDOX) | |
Class K | (SSDQX) | |
STATE STREET TARGET RETIREMENT 2060 FUND | ||
Class A | (SSDTX) | |
Class C | (SSDUX) | |
Class I | (SSDWX) | |
Class K | (SSDYX) | |
STATE STREET TARGET RETIREMENT FUND | ||
Class A | (SSFLX) | |
Class C | (SSFMX) | |
Class I | (SSFNX) | |
Class K | (SSFOX) | |
STATE STREET EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY INDEX FUND | ||
Class A | (SSUEX) | |
Class C | (SSJEX) | |
Class I | (SSLEX) | |
Class K | (SSKEX) | |
STATE STREET SMALL/MID CAP EQUITY INDEX FUND | ||
Class A | (SSMJX) | |
Class I | (SSMLX) |
2
Fund |
TICKER |
|
Class K | (SSMKX) | |
STATE STREET HEDGED INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPED EQUITY INDEX FUND | ||
Class A | (SSHEX) | |
Class C | (SSHLX) | |
Class I | (SSHNX) | |
Class K | (SSHQX) | |
STATE STREET INTERNATIONAL DEVELOPED EQUITY INDEX FUND | ||
Class A | (SSIHX) | |
Class C | (SSIJX) | |
Class I | (SSIKX) | |
Class K | (SSIWX) | |
STATE STREET DISCIPLINED GLOBAL EQUITY FUND | ||
Class A | (SSJAX) | |
Class C | (SSJCX) | |
Class I | (SSJIX) | |
Class K | (SSJKX) | |
STATE STREET DISCIPLINED U.S. EQUITY FUND | ||
Class A | (SSGGX) | |
Class C | (SSGCX) | |
Class I | (SSGMX) | |
Class K | (SSGKX) | |
STATE STREET DISCIPLINED INTERNATIONAL EQUITY FUND | ||
Class A | (SSAZX) | |
Class C | (SSZCX) | |
Class I | (SSZIX) | |
Class K | (SSZKX) |
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) relates to the prospectuses dated April 29, 2016, as amended from time to time thereafter for each of the Funds listed above (each, a Prospectus and collectively, the Prospectuses).
The SAI is not a prospectus and should be read in conjunction with the Prospectuses. A copy of each Prospectus can be obtained free of charge by calling (866) 392-0869 or by written request to the Trust at the address listed above.
The Trusts audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, including the independent registered public accounting firm reports thereon, are included in the Trusts annual reports and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. Copies of the Trusts annual reports and semiannual reports are available, without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 392-0869 or by written request to the Trust at the address above.
3
TABLE OF CONTENTS
5 | ||||
7 | ||||
9 | ||||
34 | ||||
48 | ||||
48 | ||||
62 | ||||
73 | ||||
77 | ||||
79 | ||||
79 | ||||
80 | ||||
92 | ||||
92 | ||||
A-1 | ||||
B-1 | ||||
Appendix C - Advisers Proxy Voting Procedures and Guidelines |
C-1 |
4
The Trust was organized as a business trust under the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts on February 16, 2000.
The Trust is an open-end management investment company. The Trust includes the following diversified series:
| State Street Equity 500 Index Fund (the Equity 500 Index Fund); |
| State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund (the Aggregate Bond Index Fund); |
| State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund; |
| State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund; |
| State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund; |
| State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund; |
| State Street Strategic Real Return Fund (the Strategic Real Return Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement Fund (the Retirement Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund (the Target Retirement 2015 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund (the Target Retirement 2020 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund (the Target Retirement 2025 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund (the Target Retirement 2030 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund (the Target Retirement 2035 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund (the Target Retirement 2040 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund (the Target Retirement 2045 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund (the Target Retirement 2050 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund (the Target Retirement 2055 Fund); |
| State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund (the Target Retirement 2060 Fund); |
| State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund); |
| State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund (the Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund); |
| State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund (the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund); |
| State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund); |
| State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio (the Equity 500 Index II Portfolio); |
| State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio (the Strategic Real Return Portfolio); |
| State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio (the Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio); |
| State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio (the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio); |
| State Street Hedged International Equity Index Fund (the Hedged International Equity Index Fund); |
| State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund (the International Developed Equity Index Fund); |
| State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund (the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund); |
| State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio (the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio); |
| State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund; |
| State Street 60 Day Money Market Portfolio; |
| State Street Cash Reserves Fund; |
| State Street Cash Reserves Portfolio; |
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| State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund; |
| State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio; |
| State Street Current Yield Fund; |
| State Street Current Yield Portfolio; |
| State Street Conservative Income Fund; |
| State Street Conservative Income Portfolio; |
| State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund; |
| State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio; |
| State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund (the Disciplined Global Equity Fund); |
| State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund (the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund); and |
| State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund (the Disciplined International Equity Fund). |
The Trust includes the following non-diversified series:
| State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund (the Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund). |
The Equity 500 Index Fund, the Aggregate Bond Index Fund, the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, the Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund, the Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund, the Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Retirement Fund, the Target Retirement 2015 Fund, the Target Retirement 2020 Fund, the Target Retirement 2025 Fund, the Target Retirement 2030 Fund, the Target Retirement 2035 Fund, the Target Retirement 2040 Fund, the Target Retirement 2045 Fund, the Target Retirement 2050 Fund, the Target Retirement 2055 Fund, the Target Retirement 2060 Fund, the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, the International Developed Equity Index Fund, the Disciplined Global Equity Fund, the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and the Disciplined International Equity Fund are referred to in this SAI as the Funds, and each Fund may be referred to in context as the Fund.
The Equity 500 Index Fund, Aggregate Bond Index Fund, the Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund and the International Developed Equity Index Fund are referred to in this SAI as the Index Funds. The Retirement Fund, Target Retirement 2015 Fund, Target Retirement 2020 Fund, Target Retirement 2025 Fund, Target Retirement 2030 Fund, Target Retirement 2035 Fund, Target Retirement 2040 Fund, Target Retirement 2045 Fund, Target Retirement 2050 Fund, Target Retirement 2055 Fund and Target Retirement 2060 Fund are referred to collectively in this SAI as the Target Retirement Funds. The Strategic Real Return Fund and the Strategic Real Return Portfolio are referred to in this SAI as Strategic Real Return Funds.
The State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, and Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund, State Street 60 Day Money Market Portfolio, State Street Cash Reserves Fund, State Street Cash Reserves Portfolio, State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund, State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio, State Street Current Yield Fund, State Street Current Yield Portfolio, State Street Conservative Income Fund, State Street Conservative Income Portfolio, State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund, and State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio are described in other Statements of Additional Information.
Each Fund listed below as a feeder fund (each a Feeder Fund and collectively the Feeder Funds) seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing substantially all of its investable assets in a corresponding master portfolio in the Trust or, as indicated below, the SSGA Active Trust or State Street Master Funds that has substantially similar investment strategies to those of the Feeder Fund. The table below shows the respective Portfolio in which each Feeder Fund invests. All Portfolios together are referred to in this SAI as the Portfolios and each Portfolio may be referred to in context as the Portfolio as appropriate.
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Feeder Fund | Master Portfolio | |
Equity 500 Index Fund | Equity 500 Index II Portfolio | |
Aggregate Bond Index Fund | Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio | |
Strategic Real Return Fund | Strategic Real Return Portfolio | |
Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund | State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Portfolio** (Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Portfolio) | |
Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund | Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio | |
Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund | Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio | |
International Developed Equity Index Fund | State Street International Developed Equity Index Portfolio (International Developed Equity Index Portfolio)* | |
Disciplined Global Equity Fund | State Street Disciplined Global Equity Portfolio (Disciplined Global Equity Portfolio)** |
* | This Portfolio is in the State Street Master Funds. |
** | This Portfolio is in the SSGA Active Trust. |
The Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund seeks to gain its investment exposure to the constituents of the MSCI EAFE (Europe, Australasia, Far East) 100% Hedged to USD Index by investing in the International Developed Equity Index Portfolio. In managing its portfolio of investments, the Portfolio may purchase various securities and investment related instruments and make use of various investment techniques, including, but not limited to, those described below.
DESCRIPTION OF THE FUNDS AND THEIR INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
Each Funds Prospectus contains information about the investment objective and policies of that Fund. This SAI should only be read in conjunction with the Prospectus of the Fund or Funds in which you intend to invest.
In addition to the principal investment strategies and the principal risks of the Funds described in each Funds Prospectus, a Fund may employ other investment practices and may be subject to additional risks, which are described below. In reviewing these practices of the Feeder Funds, you should assume that the practices of the corresponding Portfolio are the same in all material respects.
Each Target Retirement Fund seeks to achieve its investment objective by investing in a combination of domestic and international mutual funds sponsored by SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the Adviser or SSGA FM) or its affiliates (Underlying Funds) using an asset allocation strategy. In managing their portfolios of investments, the Underlying Funds may purchase various securities and investment related instruments and make use of various investment techniques, including, but not limited to, those described below. Except as otherwise stated, references in this section to the Funds, each Fund, or a Fund may as applicable, refer to the Funds, one or more Underlying Funds, or more than one of the foregoing.
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In the case of the Strategic Real Return Fund, the corresponding Portfolio, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio, will likely gain a portion of its investment exposure, particularly to commodities and commodities-related investments, by investing in a Cayman Islands company that is a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Portfolio (the Subsidiary) that uses some of the investment strategies listed below. Accordingly, references to the Strategic Real Return Fund herein should be deemed to include references to the Subsidiary as appropriate.
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ADDITIONAL INVESTMENTS AND RISKS
To the extent consistent with its investment objective and restrictions, each Fund or Portfolio may invest in the following instruments and use the following techniques, and is subject to the following additional risks.
Bonds
The Funds, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may invest a portion of their assets in bonds. A bond is an interest-bearing security issued by a company, governmental unit or, in some cases, a non-U.S. entity. The issuer of a bond has a contractual obligation to pay interest at a stated rate on specific dates and to repay principal (the bonds face value) periodically or on a specified maturity date; provided, however, a zero coupon bond pays no interest to its holder during its life. The value of a zero coupon bond to a Fund consists of the difference between such bonds face value at the time of maturity and the price for which it was acquired, which may be an amount significantly less than its face value (sometimes referred to as a deep discount price).
An issuer may have the right to redeem or call a bond before maturity, in which case the investor may have to reinvest the proceeds at lower market rates. Most bonds bear interest income at a coupon rate that is fixed for the life of the bond. The value of a fixed rate bond usually rises when market interest rates fall, and falls when market interest rates rise. Accordingly, a fixed rate bonds yield (income as a percent of the bonds current value) may differ from its coupon rate as its value rises or falls. Fixed rate bonds generally are also subject to inflation risk, which is the risk that the value of the bond or income from the bond will be worth less in the future as inflation decreases the value of money. This could mean that, as inflation increases, the real value of the assets of a Fund holding fixed rate bonds can decline, as can the value of the Funds distributions. Other types of bonds bear income at an interest rate that is adjusted periodically. Because of their adjustable interest rates, the value of floating-rate or variable-rate bonds fluctuates much less in response to market interest rate movements than the value of fixed rate bonds. A Fund may treat some of these bonds as having a shorter maturity for purposes of calculating the weighted average maturity of its investment portfolio. Bonds may be senior or subordinated obligations. Senior obligations generally have the first claim on a corporations earnings and assets and, in the event of liquidation, are paid before subordinated obligations. Bonds may be unsecured (backed only by the issuers general creditworthiness) or secured (also backed by specified collateral).
The investment return of corporate bonds reflects interest on the bond and changes in the market value of the bond. The market value of a corporate bond may be affected by the credit rating of the corporation, the corporations performance and perceptions of the corporation in the market place. There is a risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by such a security.
Cash Reserves
Each Fund may hold portions of its assets in short-term debt instruments with remaining maturities of 397 days or less pending investment or to meet anticipated redemptions and day-to-day operating expenses. Short-term debt instruments consist of: (i) short-term obligations of the U.S. Government, its agencies, instrumentalities, authorities or political subdivisions; (ii) other short-term debt securities rated at the time of purchase Aa or higher by Moodys Investors Service, Inc. (Moodys) or AA or higher by S&P or, if unrated, of comparable quality in the opinion of SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the Adviser or SSGA FM); (iii) commercial paper; (iv) bank obligations, including negotiable certificates of deposit, time deposits and bankers acceptances; and (v) repurchase agreements. At the time a Fund invests in commercial paper, bank obligations or repurchase agreements, the issuer or the issuers parent must have outstanding debt rated Aa or higher by Moodys or AA or higher by S&P or outstanding commercial paper or bank obligations rated Prime-1 by Moodys or A-1 by S&P; or, if no such ratings are available, the instrument must be of comparable quality in the opinion of the Adviser. To the extent that an Index Fund holds the foregoing instruments its ability to track its corresponding Index may be adversely affected. See Appendix A for more information on the ratings of debt instruments.
Cleared Derivatives Transactions
Under recently adopted rules and regulations, transactions in some types of swaps are required to be centrally cleared. In a cleared derivatives transaction, a Funds counterparty to the transaction is a central derivatives clearing organization, or clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Because the Funds are not members of a clearing house, and only members of a clearing house can participate directly in the clearing house, the Funds hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives transactions, a 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 a Fund than
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bilateral (non-cleared) arrangements. For example, a 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 a 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. A Fund is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or which the Adviser expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on a Funds behalf. In that case, the transaction might have to be terminated, and a 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 a Fund and clearing members is drafted by the clearing members and generally is less favorable to a Fund than typical bilateral derivatives documentation.
These clearing rules and other new rules and regulations could, among other things, restrict a 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 Funds and the financial system are not yet known.
Commodities
General . The Funds may invest in commodities. There are several additional risks associated with transactions in commodity futures contracts, swaps on commodity futures contracts, commodity forward contracts and other commodities instruments. In the commodity instruments markets, producers of the underlying commodity may decide to hedge the price risk of selling the commodity by selling commodity instruments today to lock in the price of the commodity at delivery tomorrow. In order to induce speculators to purchase the other side of the same commodity instrument, the commodity producer generally must sell the commodity instrument at a lower price than the expected future spot price. Conversely, if most hedgers in the commodity instruments market are purchasing commodity instruments to hedge against a rise in prices, then speculators will only sell the other side of the commodity instrument at a higher future price than the expected future spot price of the commodity. The changing nature of the hedgers and speculators in the commodity markets will influence whether futures prices are above or below the expected future spot price, which can have significant implications for the Funds. If the nature of hedgers and speculators in commodity instruments markets has shifted when it is time for a Fund to reinvest the proceeds of a maturing contract in a new commodity instrument, the Fund might reinvest at a higher or lower future price, or choose to pursue other investments. The commodities which underlie commodity instruments may be subject to additional economic and non-economic variables, such as drought, floods, weather, livestock disease, embargoes, tariffs, and international economic, political and regulatory developments. These factors may have a larger impact on commodity prices and commodity-linked instruments than on traditional securities. Certain commodities are also subject to limited pricing flexibility because of supply and demand factors. Others are subject to broad price fluctuations as a result of the volatility of the prices for certain raw materials and the instability of supplies of other materials. These additional variables may create additional investment risks which subject a Funds or the Subsidiarys investments to greater volatility than other investments. Also, unlike the financial instruments markets, in the commodity instruments markets there are costs of physical storage associated with purchasing the underlying commodity. The price of the commodity instruments contract will reflect the storage costs of purchasing the physical commodity, including the time value of money invested in the physical commodity. To the extent that the storage costs for an underlying commodity change while a Fund or the Subsidiary is invested in instruments on that commodity, the value of the commodity instrument may change proportionately.
A Funds ability to invest in commodities and commodity-related investments is limited by tax considerations and could bear on the ability of a Fund to qualify as a regulated investment company (RIC). See Taxes below.
Commodity-Linked Investments . The Funds may invest in commodity-linked investments. The Funds may seek to provide exposure to the investment returns of real assets that trade in the commodity markets through commodity-linked derivative securities, such as structured notes, discussed below, which are designed to provide this exposure without direct investment in physical commodities or commodities futures contracts. Real assets are assets such as oil, gas, industrial and precious metals, livestock, and agricultural or meat products, or other items that have tangible properties, as compared to stocks or bonds, which are financial instruments. In choosing investments, the Adviser seeks to provide exposure to various commodities and commodity sectors. The value of commodity-linked derivative securities held by a Fund may be affected by a variety of factors, including, but not limited to, overall market movements and other factors affecting the value of particular industries or commodities, such as weather, disease, embargoes, acts of war or terrorism, or political and regulatory developments.
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The prices of commodity-linked derivative securities may move in different directions than investments in traditional equity and debt securities when the value of those traditional securities is declining due to adverse economic conditions. As an example, during periods of rising inflation, debt securities have historically tended to decline in value due to the general increase in prevailing interest rates. Conversely, during those same periods of rising inflation, the prices of certain commodities, such as oil and metals, have historically tended to increase. Of course, there cannot be any guarantee that these investments will perform in that manner in the future, and at certain times the price movements of commodity-linked instruments have been parallel to those of debt and equity securities. Commodities have historically tended to increase and decrease in value during different parts of the business cycle than financial assets. Nevertheless, at various times, commodities prices may move in tandem with the prices of financial assets and thus may not provide overall portfolio diversification benefits. Under favorable economic conditions, a Funds investments may be expected to underperform an investment in traditional securities. Over the long term, the returns on the Funds investments are expected to exhibit low or negative correlation with stocks and bonds.
Because commodity-linked investments are available from a relatively small number of issuers, a Funds investments will be particularly subject to counterparty risk, which is the risk that the issuer of the commodity-linked derivative (which issuer may also serve as counterparty to a substantial number of the Funds commodity-linked and other derivative investments) will not fulfill its contractual obligations.
A Funds ability to invest in commodity-linked investments is limited by tax considerations and could bear on the ability of a Fund to qualify as a RIC. See Taxes below.
Commodities Wholly-Owned Subsidiary . The Strategic Real Return Portfolio has established a wholly-owned subsidiary organized under the laws of the Cayman Islands that will make commodity-related investments. The Subsidiary may invest principally in commodities and commodity-linked investments, including futures, options and possibly swap contracts, as well as certain fixed-income investments intended to serve as margin or collateral for the Subsidiarys derivatives positions. By investing in the Subsidiary, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio will be exposed to the risks associated with the Subsidiarys commodity-related investments.
While the Subsidiary may be considered similar to an investment company, it is not registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), and is not directly subject to all of the investor protections of the 1940 Act and other U.S. regulations. Changes in the laws of the U.S. or the Cayman Islands could result in the inability of the Strategic Real Return Funds or the Subsidiary to operate as intended or may subject the Strategic Real Return Funds or its advisor to new or additional regulatory requirements, and could negatively affect the Fund and its shareholders.
In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio and the Strategic Real Return Fund must each, among other things, satisfy several diversification requirements, including the requirement that not more than 25% of the value of the Portfolios or the Funds total assets, respectively, may be invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in the securities (other than those of the U.S. government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Portfolio or the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses. Therefore, so long as the Portfolio and the Fund are subject to this limit, the Portfolio may not invest any more than 25% of the value of its assets in the Subsidiary.
Furthermore, each of the Portfolio and the Fund must, among other things, derive at least 90% of its income from certain specified sources (qualifying income). Income from commodities and certain commodity-linked derivatives would not constitute qualifying income to the Portfolio or the Fund. The tax treatment of commodity-linked notes and certain other derivative instruments in which the Portfolio or the Fund might invest is not certain, in particular with respect to whether income and gains from such instruments constitutes qualifying income. If the Portfolio or the Fund treats income from a particular instrument as qualifying income and the income is later determined not to constitute qualifying income, and, together with any other nonqualifying income, causes the Portfolio or the Funds nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Portfolio or the Fund will fail to qualify as a RIC unless it is eligible to and does cure such failure, including by paying a tax at the Portfolio or Fund level and possibly by disposing of certain assets.
See Taxes below.
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Credit Default Swaps
The Funds, except for the Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund, the Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund and the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may enter into credit default swap transactions. A credit default swap is an agreement between the Fund and a counterparty that enables the Fund to buy or sell protection against a credit event related to a specified issuer. One party, acting as a protection buyer, make periodic payments to the other party, a protection seller, in exchange for a promise by the protection seller to make a payment to the protection buyer if a negative credit event (such as a delinquent payment or default) occurs with respect to a referenced bond or group of bonds. Acting as a protection seller allows the Fund to create an investment exposure similar to owning a bond. Acting as a protection buyer allows the Fund potentially to reduce its credit exposure to a bond it owns or to take a short position in a bond it does not own.
As the protection buyer in a credit default swap, a Fund may pay a premium (by means of periodic payments) in return for the right to deliver specified bonds or loans (such as those of a U.S. or foreign issuer or a basket of such issuers) to the protection seller and receive the par (or other agreed-upon) value upon default (or similar events) by the reference issuer. If no default occurs, the protection seller would keep the stream of payments and would have no further obligations to the Funds. As the protection buyer, a Fund bears the risk that the investment might expire worthless and/or that the protection seller may fail to satisfy its payment obligations to the Fund in the event of a default (or similar event). In addition, when a Fund is a protection buyer, the Funds investment would only generate income in the event of an actual default (or similar event) by the issuer of the underlying reference obligation.
A Fund may also use credit default swaps for investment purposes by selling a credit default swap, in which case, the Fund would be required to pay the par (or other agreed-upon) value of a referenced debt obligation to the protection buyer in the event of a default (or similar event) by the third-party reference issuer. In return for its obligation, a Fund would receive from the protection buyer a periodic stream of payments over the term of the contract. If no credit event occurs, the Fund would keep the stream of payments and would have no payment obligations. As the protection seller in a credit default swap, a Fund effectively adds economic leverage to its portfolio because, in addition to its total net assets, the Fund is subject to investment exposure on the notional amount of the swap.
The use of credit default swaps, like all swap agreements, is subject to certain risks, such as counterparty risk, leverage risk, hedging risk, correlation risk and liquidity risk. A Fund will enter into a credit default swap only with counterparties that the Adviser determines to meet certain standards of creditworthiness. If a counterpartys creditworthiness declines, the value of the swap would likely decline because of the heightened risk that the counterparty may be unable to satisfy its payment obligations (particularly if the counterparty was the protection seller under the credit default swap contract). In addition, there is no guarantee that the Fund can eliminate its exposure under an outstanding swap agreement by entering into an offsetting swap agreement with the same or another party.
A Funds exposure under a credit default swap may be considered leverage and as such be subject to the restrictions on leveraged derivatives.
Custodial Risk
There are risks involved in dealing with the custodians or brokers who hold a Funds investments or settle a Funds trades. It is possible that, in the event of the insolvency or bankruptcy of a custodian or broker, a Fund would be delayed or prevented from recovering its assets from the custodian or broker, or its estate, and may have only a general unsecured claim against the custodian or broker for those assets. In recent insolvencies of brokers or other financial institutions, the ability of certain customers to recover their assets from the insolvents estate has been delayed, limited, or prevented, often unpredictably, and there is no assurance that any assets held by a Fund with a custodian or broker will be readily recoverable by the Fund. In addition, there may be limited recourse against non-U.S. sub-custodians in those situations in which a Fund invests in markets where custodial and/or settlement systems and regulations are not fully developed, including emerging markets, and the assets of the Fund have been entrusted to such sub-custodians. SSGA FM or an affiliate may serve as the custodian of the Funds.
Eurodollar Certificates of Deposit (ECDs), Eurodollar Time Deposits (ETDs) and Yankee Certificates of Deposit (YCDs)
The Funds, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may invest in ECDs, ETDs and YCDs. ECDs and ETDs are U.S. dollar denominated certificates of deposit issued by non-U.S. branches of domestic banks and non-U.S. banks. YCDs are U.S. dollar denominated certificates of deposit issued by U.S. branches of non-U.S. banks.
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Different risks than those associated with the obligations of domestic banks may exist for ECDs, ETDs and YCDs because the banks issuing these instruments, or their domestic or non-U.S. branches, are not necessarily subject to the same regulatory requirements that apply to domestic banks, such as loan limitations, examinations and reserve, accounting, auditing, recordkeeping and public reporting requirements. Obligations of non-U.S. issuers also involve risks such as future unfavorable political and economic developments, withholding or other taxes, seizures of non-U.S. deposits, currency controls, interest limitations, and other governmental restrictions that might affect repayment of principal or payment of interest, or the ability to honor a credit commitment.
Foreign Currency Transactions
The Funds, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may enter into a variety of different foreign currency transactions, including, by way of example, currency forward transactions, spot transactions, futures and forward contracts, swaps, or options. Most of these transactions are entered into over the counter, and a Fund assumes the risk that the counterparty may be unable or unwilling to perform its obligations, in addition to the risk of unfavorable or unanticipated changes in the values of the currencies underlying the transactions. Over-the-counter currency transactions are typically uncollateralized, and a Fund may not be able to recover all or any of on the assets owed to it under such transactions if its counterparty should default. Many types of currency transactions are expected to continue to be traded over the counter even after implementation of the clearing requirements under the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act. In some markets or in respect of certain currencies, a Fund may be required, or agree, in SSGA FMs discretion, to enter into foreign currency transactions via the custodians relevant sub-custodian. SSGA FM may be subject to a conflict of interest in agreeing to any such arrangements on behalf of a Fund. Such transactions executed directly with the sub-custodian are executed at a rate determined solely by such sub-custodian. Accordingly, a Fund may not receive the best pricing of such currency transactions. Recent regulatory changes in a number of jurisdictions may require that certain currency transactions be subject to central clearing, or be subject to new or increased collateral requirements. These changes could increase the costs of currency transactions to a Fund and may make certain transactions unavailable; they may also increase the credit risk of such transactions to a Fund.
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Foreign Securities
The Funds are permitted to invest in foreign securities. Foreign securities include securities of foreign companies and foreign governments (or agencies or subdivisions thereof). If a Funds securities are held abroad, the countries in which such securities may be held and the sub-custodian holding them must be approved by the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board of Trustees or the Board) or its delegate under applicable rules adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). In buying foreign securities, the Fund may convert U.S. dollars into foreign currency, but only to effect securities transactions on foreign securities exchanges and not to hold such currency as an investment.
The globalization and integration of the world economic system and related financial markets have made it increasingly difficult to define issuers geographically. Accordingly, each Fund intends to construe geographic terms such as foreign, non-U.S. European, Latin American, and Asian, in the manner that affords to the Fund the greatest flexibility in seeking to achieve its investment objective(s). Specifically, in circumstances where the investment objective and/or strategy is to invest at least some percentage of the Funds assets in foreign securities, etc., the Funds will take the view that a security meets this description so long as the issuer of a security is tied economically to the particular country or geographic region indicated by words of the relevant investment objective and/or strategy (the Relevant Language). For these purposes the issuer of a security is deemed to have that tie if:
(i) | The issuer is organized under the laws of the country or a country within the geographic region suggested by the Relevant Language or maintains its principal place of business in that country or region; or |
(ii) | The securities are traded principally in the country or region suggested by the Relevant Language; or |
(iii) | The issuer, during its most recent fiscal year, derived at least 50% of its revenues or profits from goods produced or sold, investments made, or services performed in the country or region suggested by the Relevant Language or has at least 50% of its assets in that country or region. |
In addition, the Funds intend to treat derivative securities (e.g., call options) by reference to the underlying security. Conversely, if the investment objective and/or strategy of the Fund limits the percentage of assets that may be invested in foreign securities, etc. or prohibits such investments altogether, the Funds intend to categorize securities as foreign, etc. only if the security possesses all of the attributes described above in clauses (i), (ii) and (iii).
Investments in foreign securities involve special risks and considerations. As foreign companies are not generally subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards, practices and requirements comparable to those applicable to domestic companies, there may be less publicly available information about a foreign company than about a domestic company. For example, foreign markets have different clearance and settlement procedures. Delays in settlement could result in temporary periods when assets of a Fund are uninvested. The inability of a Fund to make intended security purchases due to settlement problems could cause it to miss certain investment opportunities. They may also entail certain other risks, such as the possibility of one or more of the following: imposition of dividend or interest withholding or other taxes or confiscatory taxes, higher brokerage costs, thinner trading markets, currency blockages or transfer restrictions, expropriation, nationalization, military coups or other adverse political or economic developments; less government supervision and regulation of securities exchanges, brokers and listed companies; and the difficulty of enforcing obligations in other countries. Purchases of foreign securities are usually made in foreign currencies and, as a result, a Fund may incur currency conversion costs and may be affected favorably or unfavorably by changes in the value of foreign currencies against the U.S. dollar. Further, it may be more difficult for a Funds agents to keep currently informed about corporate actions which may affect the prices of portfolio securities. Communications between the United States and foreign countries may be less reliable than within the United States, thus increasing the risk of delayed settlements of portfolio transactions or loss of certificates for portfolio securities. Certain markets may require payment for securities before delivery. A Funds ability and decisions to purchase and sell portfolio securities may be affected by laws or regulations relating to the convertibility of currencies and repatriation of assets.
A number of current significant political, demographic and economic developments may affect investments in foreign securities and in securities of companies with operations overseas. Such developments include dramatic political changes in government and economic policies in several Eastern European countries and the republics composing the former Soviet Union, as well as the unification of the European Economic Community. The course of any one or more of these events and the effect on trade barriers, competition and markets for consumer goods and services are uncertain. Similar considerations are of concern with respect to developing countries. For example, the possibility of revolution and the dependence on foreign economic assistance may be greater in these countries than in developed countries. Management seeks to mitigate the risks associated with these considerations through diversification and active professional management.
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Forward Commitments
The Funds may enter into contracts to purchase securities for a fixed price at a future date beyond customary settlement time (forward commitments), consistent with the Funds ability to manage its investment portfolio and meet redemption requests. Forward commitments may be considered securities in themselves, and involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, which risk is in addition to the risk of decline in the value of a Funds other assets. Where such purchases are made through dealers, a Fund relies on the dealer to consummate the sale. The dealers failure to do so may result in the loss to a Fund of an advantageous yield or price.
Although a Fund will generally enter into forward commitments with the intention of acquiring securities for its portfolio or for delivery pursuant to options contracts it has entered into, the Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement if the Adviser deems it appropriate to do so. A Fund may realize short-term profits or losses upon the sale of forward commitments. When effecting such transactions, cash or other liquid assets (such as liquid high quality debt obligations) held by the Fund of a dollar amount sufficient to make payment for the portfolio securities to be purchased will be segregated on the Funds records at the trade date and maintained until the transaction is settled. Such segregated assets will be marked to market on a daily basis, and if the market value of such assets declines, additional cash or assets will be segregated so that the market value of the segregated assets will equal the amount of such Funds obligations. Forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the security to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, or if the other party fails to complete the transaction.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures
Each Fund may enter into futures contracts on securities in which it may invest or on indices comprised of such securities and may purchase and write call and put options on such contracts.
Futures contracts. A financial futures contract is a contract to buy or sell a specified quantity of financial instruments such as U.S. Treasury bills, notes and bonds at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. An index futures contract is a contract to buy or sell specified units of an index at a specified future date at a price agreed upon when the contract is made. The value of a unit is based on the current value of the index. Under such contracts no delivery of the actual securities making up the index takes place. Rather, upon expiration of the contract, settlement is made by exchanging cash in an amount equal to the difference between the contract price and the closing price of the index at expiration, net of variation margin previously paid. Futures contracts are traded in the United States only on commodity exchanges or boards of trade known as contract markets approved for such trading by the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC), and must be executed through a futures commission merchant or brokerage firm which is a member of the relevant contract market.
Although many futures contracts by their terms call for actual delivery or acceptance of commodities or securities, in most cases the contracts are closed out before the settlement date without the making or taking of delivery, but rather by entering into an offsetting contract (a closing transaction). Upon entering into a futures contract, a Fund is required to deposit an initial margin with the futures broker. The initial margin serves as a good faith deposit that a Fund will honor its futures commitments. Subsequent payments (called variation margin or maintenance margin) to and from the broker are made on a daily basis as the price of the underlying security or commodity fluctuates, making the long and short positions in the futures contract more or less valuable, a process known as marking to the market. If a Fund is unable to enter into a closing transaction, the amount of the Funds o potential loss may be unlimited. Futures contracts also involve brokerage costs.
Each Fund will not commit more than 5% of the market value of its total assets to initial margin deposits on futures and premiums paid for options on futures.
Registration under the Commodity Exchange Act. The Funds, except for the Strategic Real Return Fund, are operated by persons who have claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator with respect to the Funds, except for the Strategic Real Return Fund, under the Commodity Exchange Act (the CEA), and therefore, are not subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator under the CEA. As a result, the Funds, except for the Strategic Real Return Fund, are limited in their ability to trade instruments subject to the CFTCs jurisdiction, including commodity futures (which include futures on broad-based securities indexes, interest rate futures and currency futures), options on commodity futures, certain swaps or other investments (whether directly or indirectly through investments in other investment vehicles).
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Under this exclusion, a Fund must satisfy one of the following two trading limitations whenever it enters into a new commodity trading position: (1) the aggregate initial margin and premiums required to establish the Funds positions in CFTC-regulated instruments may not exceed 5% of the liquidation value of the Funds portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such investments); or (2) the aggregate net notional value of such instruments, determined at the time the most recent position was established, may not exceed 100% of the liquidation value of the Funds portfolio (after accounting for unrealized profits and unrealized losses on any such positions). A Fund would not be required to consider its exposure to such instruments if they were held for bona fide hedging purposes, as such term is defined in the rules of the CFTC. In addition to meeting one of the foregoing trading limitations, the Fund may not market itself as a commodity pool or otherwise as a vehicle for trading in the markets for CFTC-regulated instruments.
The Strategic Real Return Fund is a commodity pool under the CEA and the Adviser is registered as a commodity pool operator and commodity trading advisor under the CEA with respect to the Fund. As a result, additional CFTC-mandated disclosure, reporting and recordkeeping obligations apply with respect to the Fund. Compliance with the CFTCs regulatory requirements could increase Fund expenses, adversely affecting the Funds total return.
Options on futures contracts . In return for the premium paid, options on futures contracts give the purchaser the right to assume a position in a futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Options on futures are similar to options on securities except that options on futures give the purchaser the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a position in a futures contract (a long position if the option is a call and a short position if the option is a put) at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of the option, the delivery of the futures position by the writer of the option to the holder of the option will be accompanied by delivery of the accumulated balance in the writers futures margin account which represents the amount by which the market price of the futures contract, at exercise, exceeds (in the case of a call) or is less than (in the case of a put) the exercise price of the option on the futures. If an option is exercised on the last trading day prior to its expiration date, the settlement will be made entirely in cash. Purchasers of options who fail to exercise their options prior to the exercise date suffer a loss of the premium paid.
As with options on securities, the holder or writer of an option may terminate his position by selling or purchasing an offsetting option. There is no guarantee that such closing transactions can be effected.
A Fund will be required to deposit initial margin and maintenance margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it pursuant to brokers requirements similar to those described above in connection with the discussion of futures contracts.
Risks of transactions in futures contracts and related options . Successful use of futures contracts by a Fund is subject to the Advisers ability to predict movements in various factors affecting financial markets. Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of call or put options on futures contracts involves less potential risk to a Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options (plus transaction costs). However, there may be circumstances when the purchase of a call or put option on a futures contract would result in a loss to a Fund when the purchase or sale of a futures contract would not, such as when there is no movement in the prices of the hedged investments. The writing of an option on a futures contract involves risks similar to those risks relating to the sale of futures contracts.
The use of options and futures strategies involves the risk of imperfect correlation among movements in the prices of the securities underlying the futures and options purchased and sold by the Fund, of the options and futures contracts themselves, and, in the case of hedging transactions, of the securities which are the subject of a hedge. The successful use of these strategies further depends on the ability of the Adviser to forecast interest rates and market movements correctly.
There is no assurance that higher than anticipated trading activity or other unforeseen events might not, at times, render certain market clearing facilities inadequate, and thereby result in the institution by exchanges of special procedures which may interfere with the timely execution of customer orders.
To reduce or eliminate a position held by a Fund, the Fund may seek to close out such a position. The ability to establish and close out positions will be subject to the development and maintenance of a liquid secondary market. It is not certain that this market will develop or continue to exist for a particular futures contract or option. Reasons for the absence of a liquid secondary market on an exchange include the following: (i) there may be insufficient trading interest in certain contracts or options; (ii) restrictions may be imposed by an exchange on opening transactions or closing transactions or both; (iii) trading halts, suspensions or other restrictions may be imposed with respect to particular classes or series of contracts or options, or underlying securities; (iv) unusual or unforeseen circumstances may interrupt normal operations on an exchange; (v) the
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facilities of an exchange or a clearing corporation may not at all times be adequate to handle current trading volume; or (vi) one or more exchanges could, for economic or other reasons, decide or be compelled at some future date to discontinue the trading of contracts or options (or a particular class or series of contracts or options), in which event the secondary market on that exchange for such contracts or options (or in the class or series of contracts or options) would cease to exist, although outstanding contracts or options on the exchange that had been issued by a clearing corporation as a result of trades on that exchange would likely continue to be exercisable in accordance with their terms.
U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and options . Some U.S. Treasury security futures contracts require the seller to deliver, or the purchaser to take delivery of, the type of U.S. Treasury security called for in the contract at a specified date and price; others may be settled in cash. Options on U.S. Treasury security futures contracts give the purchaser the right in return for the premium paid to assume a position in a U.S. Treasury security futures contract at the specified option exercise price at any time during the period of the option.
Successful use of U.S. Treasury security futures contracts by a Fund is subject to the Advisers ability to predict movements in the direction of interest rates and other factors affecting markets for debt securities. For example, if a Fund has sold U.S. Treasury security futures contracts in order to hedge against the possibility of an increase in interest rates which would adversely affect the values of securities held in its portfolio, and the prices of the Funds securities increase instead as a result of a decline in interest rates, the Fund will lose part or all of the benefit of the increased value of its securities which it has hedged because it will have offsetting losses in its futures positions. In addition, in such situations, if the Fund has insufficient cash, it may have to sell securities to meet daily maintenance margin requirements at a time when it may be disadvantageous to do so.
There is also a risk that price movements in U.S. Treasury security futures contracts and related options will not correlate closely with price movements in markets for particular securities. For example, if a Fund has hedged against a decline in the values of tax-exempt securities held by it by selling Treasury security futures and the values of Treasury securities subsequently increase while the values of the Funds tax-exempt securities decrease, the Fund would incur losses on both the Treasury security futures contracts written by it and the tax-exempt securities held in its portfolio.
Government Mortgage-Related Securities
The Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) (also known as Ginnie Mae) is the principal federal government guarantor of mortgage-related securities. GNMA is a wholly owned U.S. Government corporation within the Department of Housing and Urban Development. It guarantees, with the full faith and credit of the United States, full and timely payment of all monthly principal and interest on its mortgage-related securities. GNMA pass-through securities are considered to have a relatively low risk of default in that (1) the underlying mortgage loan portfolio is comprised entirely of government-backed loans and (2) the timely payment of both principal and interest on the securities is guaranteed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government, regardless of whether they have been collected. GNMA pass-through securities are, however, subject to the same interest rate risk as comparable privately issued mortgage-related securities. Therefore, the effective maturity and market value of a Funds GNMA securities can be expected to fluctuate in response to changes in interest rate levels.
Residential mortgage loans are also pooled by the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation (FHLMC) (also known as Freddie Mac), a corporate instrumentality of the U.S. Government. The mortgage loans in FHLMCs portfolio are not government backed; FHLMC, not the U.S. Government, guarantees the timely payment of interest and ultimate collection of principal on FHLMC securities. FHLMC also issues guaranteed mortgage certificates, on which it guarantees semiannual interest payments and a specified minimum annual payment of principal.
The Federal National Mortgage Association (FNMA) (also known as Fannie Mae) is a government-sponsored corporation owned entirely by private stockholders. It is subject to general regulation by the Secretary of Housing and Urban Development. FNMA purchases residential mortgages from a list of approved seller/servicers, which include savings and loan associations, savings banks, commercial banks, credit unions and mortgage bankers. Pass-through securities issued by FNMA are guaranteed as to timely payment of principal and interest only by FNMA, not the U.S. Government.
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High Yield Securities
The Funds, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may invest a portion of their assets in high yield debt securities (commonly known as junk bonds). Investment in high yield securities generally provides greater income and increased opportunity for capital appreciation than investments in higher quality securities, but they also typically entail greater price volatility and credit risk. These high yield securities are regarded as predominantly speculative with respect to the issuers continuing ability to meet principal and interest payments. Analysis of the creditworthiness of issuers of debt securities that are high yield may be more complex than for issuers of higher quality debt securities. In addition, high yield securities are often issued by smaller, less creditworthy companies or by highly leveraged (indebted) firms, but can also be issued by governments. Such issuers are generally less able than more financially stable issuers to make scheduled payments of interest and principal. The risks posed by securities issued under such circumstances are substantial.
Investing in high yield debt securities involves risks that are greater than the risks of investing in higher quality debt securities. These risks include: (i) changes in credit status, including weaker overall credit conditions of issuers and risks of default; (ii) industry, market and economic risk; and (iii) greater price variability and credit risks of certain high yield securities such as zero coupon and payment-in-kind securities. While these risks provide the opportunity for maximizing return over time, they may result in greater volatility of the value of the Fund than a fund that invests in higher-rated securities.
Furthermore, the value of high yield securities may be more susceptible to real or perceived adverse economic, company or industry conditions than is the case for higher quality securities. The market values of certain of these lower-rated and unrated debt securities tend to reflect individual issuer developments to a greater extent than do higher-rated securities which react primarily to fluctuations in the general level of interest rates, and tend to be more sensitive to economic conditions than are higher-rated securities. Adverse market, credit or economic conditions could make it difficult at certain times to sell certain high yield securities held by a Fund.
The secondary market on which high yield securities are traded may be less liquid than the market for higher grade securities. Less liquidity in the secondary trading market could adversely affect the price at which a Fund could sell a high yield security, and could adversely affect the daily net asset value per share of a Fund. When secondary markets for high yield securities are less liquid than the market for higher grade securities, it may be more difficult to value the securities because there is less reliable, objective data available. However, an Index seeks to include primarily high yield securities that the Index provider believes have greater liquidity than the broader high yield securities market as a whole.
The use of credit ratings as a principal method of selecting high yield securities can involve certain risks. For example, credit ratings evaluate the safety of principal and interest payments, not the market value risk of high yield securities. Also, credit rating agencies may fail to change credit ratings in a timely fashion to reflect events since the security was last rated.
Illiquid Securities
Each Fund may invest in illiquid securities. Each Fund will invest no more than 15% of its net assets in illiquid securities or securities that are not readily marketable, including repurchase agreements and time deposits of more than seven days duration. The absence of a regular trading market for illiquid securities imposes additional risks on investments in these securities. Illiquid securities may be difficult to value and may often be disposed of only after considerable expense and delay.
Industrial Development and Private Activity Bonds
Industrial development bonds are issued to finance a wide variety of capital projects including: electric, gas, water and sewer systems; ports and airport facilities; colleges and universities; and hospitals. The principal security for these bonds is generally the net revenues derived from a particular facility, group of facilities, or in some cases, the proceeds of a special excise tax or other specific revenue sources. Although the principal security behind these bonds may vary, many provide additional security in the form of a debt service reserve fund whose money may be used to make principal and interest payments on the issuers obligations. Some authorities provide further security in the form of a states ability without obligation to make up deficiencies in the debt service reserve fund.
Private activity bonds are considered municipal securities if the interest paid thereon is exempt from federal income tax and are issued by or on behalf of public authorities to raise money to finance various privately operated facilities for business and manufacturing, housing, sports, and pollution control. These bonds are also used to finance public facilities such as airports,
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mass transit systems, ports and parking. The payment of the principal and interest on such bonds is dependent solely on the ability of the facilitys user to meet its financial obligations and the value of any real or personal property pledged as security for such payment. Interest income on these bonds may be an item of tax preference subject to federal alternative minimum tax for individuals and corporations.
Insured Municipal Securities
Insured municipal securities are those for which scheduled payments of interest and principal are guaranteed by a private (non-governmental) insurance company. The insurance entitles a fund to receive only the face or par value of the securities held by the fund, but the ability to be paid is limited to the claims paying ability of the insurer. The insurance does not guarantee the market value of the municipal securities or the net asset value of a funds shares. Insurers are selected based upon the diversification of its portfolio and the strength of the management team which contributes to the claims paying ability of the entity. However, the Adviser selects securities based upon the underlying credit with bond insurance viewed as an enhancement only. The Advisers objective is to have an enhancement that provides additional liquidity to insulate against volatility in changing markets.
Interest Rate Environment Risk
In the wake of the financial crisis that began in 2007, the Federal Reserve System attempted to stabilize the U.S. economy and support the U.S. economic recovery by keeping the federal funds rate at or near zero percent. In addition, the Federal Reserve has purchased large quantities of securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government, its agencies or instrumentalities on the open market (the quantitative easing program). As a result, the United States is experiencing historically low interest rate levels. A low interest rate environment may have an adverse impact on a Funds ability to provide a positive yield to its shareholders and pay expenses out of Fund assets because of the low yields from the Funds portfolio investments.
However, continued economic recovery and the cessation of the quantitative easing program increase the risk that interest rates will rise in the near future and that the Funds will face a heightened level of interest rate risk. Federal Reserve policy changes may expose fixed-income and related markets to heightened volatility and may reduce liquidity for certain Fund investments, which could cause the value of a Funds investments and a Funds share price to decline or create difficulties for the Fund in disposing of investments. A Fund that invests in derivatives tied to fixed-income markets may be more substantially exposed to these risks than a fund that does not invest in derivatives. A Fund could also be forced to liquidate its investments at disadvantageous times or prices, thereby adversely affecting the Fund. To the extent a Fund experiences high redemptions because of these policy changes, the Fund may experience increased portfolio turnover, which will increase the costs that the Fund incurs and lower the Funds performance.
Investment Grade Bonds
The Funds may invest in corporate notes and bonds that are rated investment-grade by a nationally recognized statistical rating organization (NRSRO) or, if unrated, are of comparable quality to the rated securities described above, as determined by the Adviser, in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees. Investment-grade securities include securities rated Baa or higher by Moodys or BBB- or higher by S&P (and securities of comparable quality); securities rated Baa or BBB may have speculative characteristics.
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Lending of Fund Securities
Each Fund may lend portfolio securities to brokers, dealers and other financial organizations in amounts up to 25% of the total value of its assets. Any such loan must be continuously secured by collateral in cash or cash equivalents maintained on a current basis in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities loaned by a Fund. A Fund would continue to receive the equivalent of the interest or dividends paid by the issuer on the securities loaned, and would receive an additional return that may be in the form of a fixed fee or a percentage of the collateral. A Fund would have the right to call the loan and obtain the securities loaned at any time on notice of not more than five business days. In the event of bankruptcy or other default of the borrower, a Fund could experience both delays in liquidating the loan collateral or recovering the loaned securities and losses including (a) possible decline in the value of collateral or in the value of the securities loaned during the period while the Fund seeks to enforce its rights thereto, (b) possible sub-normal levels of income and lack of access to income during this period, and (c) expenses of enforcing its rights. A Funds securities lending agent may be an affiliate of the Adviser, and would be compensated by the Fund for its services.
Market Disruption and Geopolitical Risk
The Funds are subject to the risk that geopolitical events will disrupt securities markets and adversely affect global economies and markets. War, terrorism, and related geopolitical events have led, and in the future may lead, to increased short-term market volatility and may have adverse long-term effects on U.S. and world economies and markets generally. Likewise, natural and environmental disasters and systemic market dislocations may be highly disruptive to economies and markets. Those events as well as other changes in non-U.S. and domestic economic and political conditions also could adversely affect individual issuers or related groups of issuers, securities markets, interest rates, credit ratings, inflation, investor sentiment, and other factors affecting the value of a Funds investments. Given the increasing interdependence between global economies and markets, conditions in one country, market, or region might adversely impact markets, issuers and/or foreign exchange rates in other countries, including the U.S. Continuing uncertainty as to the status of the Euro and the European Monetary Union (the EMU) has created significant volatility in currency and financial markets generally. Any partial or complete dissolution of the EMU, or any continued uncertainty as to its status, could have significant adverse effects on currency and financial markets, and on the values of a Funds investments.
Securities markets may be susceptible to market manipulation (e.g., the potential manipulation of the London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR)) or other fraudulent trade practices, which could disrupt the orderly functioning of these markets or adversely affect the value of investments traded in these markets, including investments of a Fund.
Recent political activity in the U.S. has increased the risk that the U.S. could default on some or any of its obligations. While it is impossible to predict the consequences of such an unprecedented event, it is likely that a default by the U.S. would be highly disruptive to the U.S. and global securities markets and could significantly impair the value of the Funds investments. Similarly, political events within the U.S. at times have resulted, and may in the future result, in a shutdown of government services, which could negatively affect the U.S. economy, decrease the value of many Fund investments, and increase uncertainty in or impair the operation of the U.S. or other securities markets.
To the extent a Fund has focused its investments in the stock market index of a particular region, adverse geopolitical and other events could have a disproportionate impact on the Fund.
Master Limited Partnerships and Related Investments
The Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund may invest in infrastructure companies organized as master limited partnerships (MLPs). Very generally, an MLP is an entity treated as a partnership under the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), and whose interests or units are traded on securities exchanges like shares of corporate stock. A typical MLP consists of a general partner and limited partners; however, some entities receiving partnership taxation treatment under the Code are established as limited liability companies. The general partner manages the partnership, has an ownership stake in the partnership, and is typically eligible to receive an incentive distribution. The limited partners provide capital to the partnership, have a limited (if any) role in the operation and management of the partnership, and receive cash distributions. Due to their partnership structure, MLPs generally do not pay income taxes.
Holders of MLP units could potentially become subject to liability for all of the obligations of an MLP, if a court determines that the rights of the unitholders to take certain action under the limited partnership agreement would constitute control of the business of that MLP, or if a court or governmental agency determines that the MLP is conducting business in a state without complying with the limited partnership statute of that state.
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To be treated as a partnership for U.S. federal income tax purposes, an MLP must derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from certain qualifying sources, including activities such as the exploration, development, mining, production, processing, refining, transportation, storage and certain marketing of mineral or natural resources. Many MLPs operate oil, gas or petroleum facilities, or other facilities within the energy sector. The Fund may, however, invest in MLPs in any sector of the economy.
Midstream MLPs are generally engaged in the treatment, gathering, compression, processing, transportation, transmission, fractionation, storage and terminalling of natural gas, natural gas liquids, crude oil, refined products or coal. Midstream MLPs may also operate ancillary businesses including marketing of energy products and logistical services. Upstream MLPs are primarily engaged in the exploration, recovery, development and production of crude oil, natural gas and natural gas liquids. Downstream MLPs are primarily engaged in the processing, treatment, and refining of natural gas liquids and crude oil. MLPs may also engage in owning, managing and transporting alternative energy assets, including alternative fuels such as ethanol, hydrogen and biodiesel.
MLP Equity Securities. Equity securities issued by MLPs generally consist of common units, subordinated units and preferred units, as described more fully below.
MLP Common Units. The common units of many MLPs are listed and traded on U.S. securities exchanges, including the New York Stock Exchange, Inc. (NYSE) and the National Association of Securities Dealers Automated Quotations System (NASDAQ). The Fund may purchase such common units through open market transactions and underwritten offerings, but may also acquire common units through direct placements and privately negotiated transactions. Holders of MLP common units typically have very limited control and voting rights. Holders of such common units are typically entitled to receive a minimum quarterly distribution (MQD) from the issuer, and typically have a right, to the extent that an MLP fails to make a previous MQD, to recover in future distributions the amount by which the MQD was short (arrearage rights). Generally, an MLP must pay (or set aside for payment) the MQD to holders of common units before any distributions may be paid to subordinated unit holders. In addition, incentive distributions are typically not paid to the general partner or managing member unless the quarterly distributions on the common units exceed specified threshold levels above the MQD. In the event of a liquidation, common unit holders are intended to have a preference with respect to the remaining assets of the issuer over holders of subordinated units. MLPs issue different classes of common units that may have different voting, trading, and distribution rights. The Fund may invest in different classes of common units.
MLP LLC Units. Some energy companies in which the Fund may invest have been organized as limited liability companies (MLP LLCs). In general, such MLP LLCs are treated in the same manner as MLPs for federal income tax purposes. Consistent with its investment objective and policies, the Fund may invest in common units or other securities of such MLP LLCs. MLP LLC common units represent an equity ownership interest in an MLP LLC, entitling the holders to a share of the MLP LLCs success through distributions and/or capital appreciation. Similar to MLPs, MLP LLCs typically do not pay federal income tax at the entity level and are required by their operating agreements to distribute a large percentage of their current operating earnings. MLP LLC common unitholders generally have first right to an MQD prior to distributions to subordinated unitholders and typically have arrearage rights if the MQD is not met. In the event of liquidation, MLP LLC common unitholders have first right to the MLP LLCs remaining assets after bondholders, other debt holders and preferred unitholders, if any, have been paid in full. MLP LLC common units trade on a national securities exchange or OTC. In contrast to MLPs, MLP LLCs have no general partner and there are generally no incentives that entitle management or other unitholders to increased percentages of cash distributions as distributions reach higher target levels. In addition, MLP LLC common unitholders typically have voting rights with respect to the MLP LLC, whereas MLP common units have limited voting rights.
MLP Subordinated Units. Subordinated units, which, like common units, represent limited partner or member interests, are not typically listed or traded on an exchange. The Fund may purchase outstanding subordinated units through negotiated transactions directly with holders of such units or newly issued subordinated units directly from the issuer. Holders of such subordinated units are generally entitled to receive a distribution only after the MQD and any arrearages from prior quarters have been paid to holders of common units. Holders of subordinated units typically have the right to receive distributions before any incentive distributions are payable to the general partner or managing member. Subordinated units generally do not provide arrearage rights. Most MLP subordinated units are convertible into common units after the passage of a specified period of time or upon the achievement by the issuer of specified financial goals. MLPs issue different classes of subordinated units that may have different voting, trading, and distribution rights. The Fund may invest in different classes of subordinated units.
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MLP Convertible Subordinated Units. MLP convertible subordinated units are typically issued by MLPs to founders, corporate general partners of MLPs, entities that sell assets to MLPs, and institutional investors. Convertible subordinated units increase the likelihood that, during the subordination period, there will be available cash to be distributed to common unitholders. MLP convertible subordinated units generally are not entitled to distributions until holders of common units have received their specified MQD, plus any arrearages, and may receive less than common unitholders in distributions upon liquidation. Convertible subordinated unitholders generally are entitled to MQD prior to the payment of incentive distributions to the general partner, but are not entitled to arrearage rights. Therefore, MLP convertible subordinated units generally entail greater risk than MLP common units. Convertible subordinated units are generally convertible automatically into senior common units of the same issuer at a one-to-one ratio upon the passage of time or the satisfaction of certain financial tests. Convertible subordinated units do not trade on a national exchange or over-the-counter (OTC), and there is no active market for them. The value of a convertible subordinated unit is a function of its worth if converted into the underlying common units. Convertible subordinated units generally have similar voting rights as do MLP common units. Distributions may be paid in cash or in-kind.
MLP Preferred Units. MLP preferred units are not typically listed or traded on an exchange. The Fund may purchase MLP preferred units through negotiated transactions directly with MLPs, affiliates of MLPs and institutional holders of such units. Holders of MLP preferred units can be entitled to a wide range of voting and other rights, depending on the structure of each separate security.
MLP General Partner or MLP LLC Managing Member Interests. The general partner or managing member interest in an MLP or MLP LLC (as defined below) is typically retained by the original sponsors of an MLP or MLP LLC, such as its founders, corporate partners and entities that sell assets to the MLP or MLP LLC. The holder of the general partner or managing member interest can be liable in certain circumstances for amounts greater than the amount of the holders investment in the general partner or managing member. General partner or managing member interests often confer direct board participation rights in, and in many cases control over the operations of, the MLP or MLP LLC. General partner or managing member interests can be privately held or owned by publicly traded entities. General partner or managing member interests receive cash distributions, typically in an amount of up to 2% of available cash, which is contractually defined in the partnership or limited liability company agreement. In addition, holders of general partner or managing member interests typically receive incentive distribution rights (IDRs), which provide them with an increasing share of the entitys aggregate cash distributions upon the payment of per common unit distributions that exceed specified threshold levels above the MQD. Incentive distributions to a general partner are designed to encourage the general partner, who controls and operates the partnership, to maximize the partnerships cash flow and increase distributions to the limited partners. Due to the IDRs, general partners of MLPs and managing members of MLP LLCs have higher distribution growth prospects than their underlying MLPs or MLP LLCs, but quarterly incentive distribution payments would also decline at a greater rate than the decline rate in quarterly distributions to common and subordinated unit holders in the event of a reduction in the MLPs or MLP LLCs quarterly distribution. The ability of the limited partners or members to remove the general partner or managing member without cause is typically very limited. In addition, some MLPs or MLP LLCs permit the holder of IDRs to reset, under specified circumstances, the incentive distribution levels and receive compensation in exchange for the distribution rights given up in the reset.
MLP Debt Securities. Debt securities issued by MLPs may include those rated below investment grade. The Fund may invest in MLP debt securities without regard to credit quality or maturity. Investments in such securities may not offer the tax characteristics of equity securities of MLPs.
MLP Affiliates. The Fund may invest in equity and debt securities issued by affiliates of MLPs or MLP LLCs, including the general partners or managing members of MLPs and companies that own MLP general partner interests. Such issuers may be organized and/or taxed as corporations and therefore may not offer the advantageous tax characteristics of MLP or MLP LLC units. The Fund may purchase such other MLP-related equity securities through market transactions, but may also do so through direct placements.
I-Units. I-Units represent an indirect ownership interest in an MLP or MLP LLC and are issued by an MLP or MLP LLC affiliate. The MLP or MLP LLC affiliate uses the proceeds from the sale of I-Units to purchase interests in its affiliated MLP or MLP LLC. Thus, I-Units represent an indirect interest in an MLP or MLP LLC. I-Units have limited voting rights and are similar in that respect to MLP or MLP LLC common units. I-Units differ from MLP or MLP LLC common units primarily in that instead of receiving cash distributions, holders of I-Units will receive distributions of additional I-Units in an amount equal to the cash distributions received by common unit holders. I-Units are traded on the NYSE. Issuers of MLP and MLP LLC I-Units are treated as corporations and not partnerships for tax purposes.
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Mortgage-Backed Security Rolls
The Funds, except for the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund and the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may enter into forward roll transactions with respect to mortgage-related securities issued by GNMA, FNMA or FHLMC. In a forward roll transaction, a Fund will sell a mortgage-related security to a bank or other permitted entity and simultaneously agree to repurchase a similar security from the institution at a later date at an agreed upon price. The mortgage securities that are repurchased will typically bear the same interest rate as those sold, but generally will be collateralized by different pools of mortgages with different prepayment histories than those sold. A Fund that engages in a forward roll transaction forgoes principal and interest paid on the securities sold during the roll period, but is compensated by the difference between the current sales price and the lower forward price for the future purchase. In addition, a Fund earns interest by investing the transaction proceeds during the roll period. A forward roll transaction may create investment leverage. A Fund is subject to the risk that the value of securities to be purchased pursuant to a forward roll transaction will decline over the roll period, and that the Funds counterparty may be unwilling or unable to perform its obligations to the Fund. Upon entering into a mortgage-backed security roll, the participating Fund will segregate on its records cash, U.S. Government securities or other high-grade debt securities in an amount sufficient to cover to its obligation under the roll.
Mortgage-Related Securities
The Funds, except for the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund and the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may invest in mortgage-related securities. Mortgage-related securities represent an interest in a pool of, or are secured by, mortgage loans. Mortgage-related securities may be issued or guaranteed by (i) U.S. Government agencies or instrumentalities such as GNMA, FNMA and FHLMC or (ii) other issuers, including private companies.
Many mortgage-related securities provide regular payments which consist of interest and, in most cases, principal. In contrast, other forms of debt securities normally provide for periodic payment of interest in fixed amounts with principal payments at maturity or specified call dates. In effect, payments on many mortgage-related securities are a pass-through of the payments made by the individual borrowers on their mortgage loans, net of any fees paid to the issuer or guarantor of such securities.
Besides the scheduled repayment of principal, repayments of principal may result from the voluntary prepayment, refinancing or foreclosure of the underlying mortgage loans. If property owners make unscheduled prepayments of their mortgage loans, these prepayments will typically result in early payment of the applicable mortgage-related securities. The occurrence of mortgage prepayments is affected by a variety of factors including the level of interest rates, general economic conditions, the location and age of the mortgage, and other social and demographic conditions. During periods of falling interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments tends to increase, thereby tending to decrease the life of mortgage-related securities. During periods of rising interest rates, the rate of mortgage prepayments usually decreases, thereby tending to increase the life of mortgage-related securities.
Because of the possibility of prepayments (and due to scheduled repayments of principal), mortgage-related securities are less effective than other types of securities as a means of locking in attractive long-term interest rates. Prepayments would have to be reinvested at lower rates. As a result, these securities may have less potential for capital appreciation during periods of declining interest rates than other securities of comparable maturities, although they may have a similar risk of decline in market value during periods of rising interest rates. Prepayments may also significantly shorten the effective maturities of these securities, especially during periods of declining interest rates. Conversely, during periods of rising interest rates, a reduction in prepayments may increase the effective maturities of these securities, subjecting them to a greater risk of decline in market value in response to rising interest rates than traditional debt securities, and, therefore, potentially increasing the volatility of the Funds.
Collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) may be issued by a U.S. Government agency or instrumentality or by a private issuer. CMOs are typically structured with classes or series that have different maturities and are generally retired in sequence. Each class of obligations receives periodic interest payments according to its terms. However, monthly principal payments and any prepayments from the collateral pool are generally paid first to the holders of the most senior class. Thereafter, payments of principal are generally allocated to the next most senior class of obligations until that class of obligations has been fully repaid. Any or all classes of obligations of a CMO may be paid off sooner than expected because of an increase in the payoff speed of the pool. Changes in prepayment rates may have significant effects on the values and the volatility of the various classes and series of a CMO. Payment of interest or principal on some classes or series of a CMO may be subject to contingencies or some classes or series may bear some or all of the risk of default on the underlying mortgages.
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Stripped mortgage-related securities are usually structured with two classes that receive different portions of the interest and principal distributions on a pool of mortgage loans. The yield to maturity on an interest only or IO class of stripped mortgage-related securities is extremely sensitive not only to changes in prevailing interest rates but also to the rate of principal payments (including prepayments) on the underlying assets. A rapid rate of principal prepayments may have a measurable adverse effect on a Funds yield to maturity to the extent it invests in IOs. If the assets underlying the IO experience greater than anticipated prepayments of principal, the Fund may fail to recoup fully, or at all, its initial investment in these securities. Conversely, principal only securities or POs tend to increase in value if prepayments are greater than anticipated and decline if prepayments are slower than anticipated. The secondary market for stripped mortgage-related securities may be more volatile and less liquid than that for other mortgage-related securities, potentially limiting a Funds ability to buy or sell those securities at any particular time.
Municipal and Municipal-Related Securities
Municipal securities may bear fixed, floating or variable rates of interest or may be zero coupon securities. Municipal securities are generally of two types: general obligations and revenue obligations. General obligations are backed by the full faith and credit of the issuer. These securities include tax anticipation notes, bond anticipation notes, general obligation bonds and commercial paper. Revenue obligations are backed by the revenues generated from a specific project or facility and include industrial development bonds and private activity bonds. Tax anticipation notes are issued to finance working capital needs of municipalities and are generally issued in anticipation of future tax revenues. Bond anticipation notes are issued in expectation of the issuer obtaining longer-term financing.
Options
The Funds may purchase and sell put and call options to enhance investment performance and to protect against changes in market prices. There is no assurance that a Funds use of put and call options will achieve its desired objective, and a Funds use of options may result in losses to the Fund.
Covered call options . A Fund may write ( i.e ., sell) covered call options to realize a greater current return through the receipt of premiums than it would realize on its securities alone. Such option transactions may also be used as a limited form of hedging against a decline in the price of securities owned by a Fund.
A call option gives the holder the right to purchase, and obligates the writer to sell, a security at the exercise price at any time before the expiration date. A call option is covered if the writer, at all times while obligated as a writer, either owns the underlying securities (or comparable securities satisfying the cover requirements of the securities exchanges), or has the right to acquire such securities through immediate conversion of securities. A Fund may write covered call options or uncovered call options.
A Fund will receive a premium from writing a call option, which increases the Funds return on the underlying security in the event the option expires unexercised or is closed out at a profit. The amount of the premium reflects, among other things, the relationship between the exercise price and the current market value of the underlying security, the volatility of the underlying security, the amount of time remaining until expiration, current interest rates, and the effect of supply and demand in the options market and in the market for the underlying security.
In return for the premium received when it writes a covered call option, a Fund gives up some or all of the opportunity to profit from an increase in the market price of the securities covering the call option during the life of the option. A Fund retains the risk of loss should the price of such securities decline. If the option expires unexercised, a Fund realizes a gain equal to the premium, which may be offset by a decline in price of the underlying security. If the option is exercised, a Fund realizes a gain or loss equal to the difference between the Funds cost for the underlying security and the proceeds of sale (exercise price minus commissions) plus the amount of the premium.
A Fund may terminate a call option that it has written before it expires by entering into a closing purchase transaction. A Fund may enter into closing purchase transactions in order to free itself to sell the underlying security or to write another call on the security, realize a profit on a previously written call option, or protect a security from being called in an unexpected market rise. Any profits from a closing purchase transaction may be offset by a decline in the value of the underlying security. Conversely, because increases in the market price of a call option will generally reflect increases in the market price of the underlying security, any loss resulting from a closing purchase transaction is likely to be offset in whole or in part by unrealized appreciation of the underlying security owned by a Fund.
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Uncovered call options . Writing uncovered call options may enable a Fund to realize income without committing capital to the ownership of the underlying securities or instruments, however writing uncovered calls are riskier than writing covered calls because there is no underlying security held by a Fund that can act as a partial hedge. When a Fund has written an uncovered call option, the Fund will not necessarily hold securities offsetting the risk to the Fund. As a result of writing a call option without holding the underlying the securities, if the call option were exercised, a Fund might be required to purchase the security that is the subject of the call at the market price at the time of exercise. The Funds exposure on such an option is theoretically unlimited. There is also a risk, especially with less liquid preferred and debt securities, that the security may not be available for purchase. Uncovered calls have speculative characteristics.
Covered put options . A Fund may write covered put options in order to enhance its current return. Such options transactions may also be used as a limited form of hedging against an increase in the price of securities that the Fund plans to purchase. A put option gives the holder the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, a security at the exercise price at any time before the expiration date. A put option may be covered if the writer earmarks or otherwise segregates liquid assets equal to the price to be paid if the option is exercised minus margin on deposit.
By writing a put option, a Fund assumes the risk that it may be required to purchase the underlying security for an exercise price higher than its then current market value, resulting in a potential capital loss unless the security later appreciates in value.
A Fund may terminate a put option that it has written before it expires by entering into a closing purchase transaction. Any loss from this transaction may be partially or entirely offset by the premium received on the terminated option.
Purchasing put and call options . A Fund may also purchase put options to protect portfolio holdings against a decline in market value. This protection lasts for the life of the put option because a Fund, as a holder of the option, may sell the underlying security at the exercise price regardless of any decline in its market price. In order for a put option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must decline sufficiently below the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs that a Fund must pay. These costs will reduce any profit the Fund might have realized had it sold the underlying security instead of buying the put option.
A Fund may purchase call options to hedge against an increase in the price of securities that the Fund wants ultimately to buy. Such hedge protection is provided during the life of the call option since a Fund, as holder of the call option, is able to buy the underlying security at the exercise price regardless of any increase in the underlying securitys market price. In order for a call option to be profitable, the market price of the underlying security must rise sufficiently above the exercise price to cover the premium and transaction costs. These costs will reduce any profit a Fund might have realized had it bought the underlying security at the time it purchased the call option.
A Fund may also purchase put and call options to attempt to enhance its current return.
Options on foreign securities . A Fund may purchase and sell options on foreign securities if the Adviser believes that the investment characteristics of such options, including the risks of investing in such options, are consistent with the Funds investment objective. It is expected that risks related to such options will not differ materially from risks related to options on U.S. securities. However, position limits and other rules of foreign exchanges may differ from those in the United States. In addition, options markets in some countries, many of which are relatively new, may be less liquid than comparable markets in the United States.
Options on securities indices . A Fund may write or purchase options on securities indices. Index options are similar to options on individual securities in that the purchaser of an index option acquires the right to buy (in the case of a call) or sell (in the case of a put), and the writer undertakes the obligation to sell or buy (as the case may be), units of an index at a stated exercise price during the term of the option. Instead of the right to take or make actual delivery of securities, the holder of an index option has the right to receive a cash exercise settlement amount. This amount is equal to the amount by which the fixed exercise price of the option exceeds (in the case of a put) or is less than (in the case of a call) the closing value of the underlying index on the date of the exercise, multiplied by a fixed index multiplier.
Price movements in securities which a Fund owns or intends to purchase probably will not correlate perfectly with movements in the level of a securities index and, therefore, if the Fund uses an option for hedging purposes, it bears the risk of a loss on a securities index option which is not completely offset by movements in the price of such securities. Because securities index options are settled in cash, a call writer cannot determine the amount of its settlement obligations in advance
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and, unlike call writing on a specific security, cannot provide in advance for, or cover, its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding underlying securities. A Fund may, however, cover call options written on a securities index by holding a mix of securities which substantially replicate the movement of the index or by holding a call option on the securities index with an exercise price no higher than the call option sold.
Compared to the purchase or sale of futures contracts, the purchase of call or put options on an index involves less potential risk to a Fund because the maximum amount at risk is the premium paid for the options plus transactions costs. The writing of a put or call option on an index involves risks similar to those risks relating to the purchase or sale of index futures contracts.
Risks involved in the use of options . The successful use of a Funds options strategies depends on the ability of the Adviser to forecast correctly interest rate and market movements. For example, if a Fund were to write a call option based on the Advisers expectation that the price of the underlying security would fall, but the price were to rise instead, the Fund could be required to sell the security upon exercise at a price below the current market price. Similarly, if a Fund were to write a put option based on the Advisers expectation that the price of the underlying security would rise, but the price were to fall instead, the Fund could be required to purchase the security upon exercise at a price higher than the current market price.
When a Fund purchases an option, it runs the risk that it will lose its entire investment in the option in a relatively short period of time, unless the Fund exercises the option or enters into a closing sale transaction before the options expiration. If the price of the underlying security does not rise (in the case of a call) or fall (in the case of a put) to an extent sufficient to cover the option premium and transaction costs, a Fund will lose part or all of its investment in the option. This contrasts with an investment by a Fund in the underlying security, since the Fund will not realize a loss if the securitys price does not change.
The effective use of options also depends on a Funds ability to terminate option positions at times when the Adviser deems it desirable to do so. There is no assurance that a Fund will be able to effect closing transactions at any particular time or at an acceptable price.
If a secondary market in options were to become unavailable, a Fund could no longer engage in closing transactions. Lack of investor interest might adversely affect the liquidity of the market for particular options or series of options. A market may discontinue trading of a particular option or options generally. In addition, a market could become temporarily unavailable if unusual events such as volume in excess of trading or clearing capability were to interrupt its normal operations.
A market may at times find it necessary to impose restrictions on particular types of options transactions, such as opening transactions. For example, if an underlying security ceases to meet qualifications imposed by the market or the Options Clearing Corporation, new series of options on that security will no longer be opened to replace expiring series, and opening transactions in existing series may be prohibited. If an options market were to become unavailable, a Fund as a holder of an option would be able to realize profits or limit losses only by exercising the option, and the Fund, as option writer, would remain obligated under the option until expiration or exercise.
Disruptions in the markets for the securities underlying options purchased or sold by a Fund could result in losses on the options. If trading is interrupted in an underlying security, the trading of options on that security is normally halted as well. As a result, a Fund as purchaser or writer of an option will be unable to close out its positions until options trading resumes, and it may be faced with considerable losses if trading in the security reopens at a substantially different price. In addition, the Options Clearing Corporation or options markets may impose exercise restrictions. If a prohibition on exercise is imposed at the time when trading in the option has also been halted, a Fund as purchaser or writer of an option will be locked into its position until one of the two restrictions has been lifted. If the Options Clearing Corporation were to determine that the available supply of an underlying security appears insufficient to permit delivery by the writers of all outstanding calls in the event of exercise, it may prohibit indefinitely the exercise of put options. A Fund, as holder of such a put option, could lose its entire investment if the prohibition remained in effect until the put options expiration.
Foreign-traded options are subject to many of the same risks presented by internationally-traded securities. In addition, because of time differences between the United States and various foreign countries, and because different holidays are observed in different countries, foreign options markets may be open for trading during hours or on days when U.S. markets are closed. As a result, option premiums may not reflect the current prices of the underlying interest in the United States.
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Over-the-counter (OTC) options purchased by a Fund and assets held to cover OTC options written by the Fund may, under certain circumstances, be considered illiquid securities for purposes of any limitation on the Funds ability to invest in illiquid securities.
Other Asset-Backed Securities
The Funds, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may invest in asset-backed securities that are not mortgage-related. Asset-backed securities other than mortgage-related securities represent undivided fractional interests in pools of instruments, such as consumer loans, and are typically similar in structure to mortgage-related pass-through securities. Payments of principal and interest are passed through to holders of the securities and are typically supported by some form of credit enhancement, such as a letter of credit, surety bond, limited guarantee by another entity, or by priority to certain of the borrowers other securities. The degree of credit-enhancement, if any, varies, applying only until exhausted and generally covering only a fraction of the securitys par value.
The value of such asset-backed securities is affected by changes in the markets perception of the asset backing the security, changes in the creditworthiness of the servicing agent for the instrument pool, the originator of the instruments, or the financial institution providing any credit enhancement and the expenditure of any portion of any credit enhancement. The risks of investing in asset-backed securities are ultimately dependent upon payment of the underlying instruments by the obligors, and a Fund would generally have no recourse against the obligee of the instruments in the event of default by an obligor. The underlying instruments are subject to prepayments which shorten the duration of asset-backed securities and may lower their return, in generally the same manner as described above for prepayments of pools of mortgage loans underlying mortgage-related securities.
Pre-Refunded Municipal Securities
The interest and principal payments on pre-refunded municipal securities are typically paid from the cash flow generated from an escrow fund consisting of U.S. Government securities. These payments have been pre-refunded using the escrow fund.
Purchase of Other Investment Company Shares
The Funds may, to the extent permitted under the 1940 Act and exemptive rules and orders thereunder, invest in shares of other investment companies, which include funds managed by SSGA FM, which invest exclusively in money market instruments or in investment companies with investment policies and objectives which are substantially similar to those of the Funds. These investments may be made temporarily, for example, to invest uncommitted cash balances or, in limited circumstances, to assist in meeting shareholder redemptions.
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs)
The Funds, except for the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund and the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may invest in REITs. REITs pool investors funds for investment primarily in income producing real estate or real estate loans or interests. A REIT 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. A Fund will not invest in real estate directly, but only in securities issued by real estate companies. However, a 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.
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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 REITs under the 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.
Repurchase Agreements
The Funds may enter into repurchase agreements with banks and other financial institutions, such as broker-dealers. Under a repurchase agreement, a Fund purchases securities from a financial institution that agrees to repurchase the securities at the Funds original purchase price plus interest within a specified time (normally one business day). A Fund will limit repurchase transactions to those member banks of the Federal Reserve System and broker-dealers whose creditworthiness the Adviser considers satisfactory. Should the counterparty to a transaction fail financially, the Fund may encounter delay and incur costs before being able to sell the securities, or may be prevented from realizing on the securities. Further, the amount realized upon the sale of the securities may be less than that necessary to fully compensate the Fund.
Reverse Repurchase Agreements
The Funds may enter into reverse repurchase agreements. Under a reverse repurchase agreement, a Fund sells portfolio securities to a financial institution in return for cash in an amount equal to a percentage of the portfolio securities market value and agrees to repurchase the securities at a future date at a prescribed repurchase price equal to the amount of cash originally received plus interest on such amount. A Fund retains the right to receive interest and principal payments with respect to the securities while they are in the possession of the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements may create investment leverage and involve the risk that the market value of securities sold by a Fund may decline below the price at which it is obligated to repurchase the securities. Reverse repurchase agreements also involve a risk of default by the counterparty, which may adversely affect a Funds ability to reacquire the underlying securities.
Section 4(a)(2) Commercial Paper/Rule 144A Securities
Each Fund, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may also invest in commercial paper issued in reliance on the private placement exemption from registration afforded by Section 4(a)(2) of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (1933 Act) (Section 4(a)(2) paper) or in securities that can be offered and sold only to qualified institutional buyers under Rule 144A of the 1933 Act (Rule 144A securities).
Section 4(a)(2) paper is restricted as to disposition under the federal securities laws and generally is sold to institutional investors that agree that they are purchasing the paper for investment and not with a view to public distribution. Any resale by the purchaser must be a transaction exempt from the registration requirements of the 1933 Act. Section 4(a)(2) paper normally is resold to other institutional investors like the Funds through or with the assistance of the issuer or investment dealers that make a market in Section 4(a)(2) paper. Rule 144A securities generally must be sold only to other institutional investors.
Section 4(a)(2) paper and Rule 144A securities will not be considered illiquid for purposes of each Funds percentage limitations on illiquid securities when the Adviser (pursuant to guidelines adopted by the Board of Trustees) determines that a liquid trading market exists for the securities in question. There can be no assurance that a liquid trading market will exist at any time for any particular Section 4(a)(2) paper or Rule 144A securities.
Total Return Swaps, Equity Swaps and Interest Rate Swaps
The Funds may contract with a counterparty to pay a stream of cash flows and receive the total return of an index or a security for purposes of attempting to obtain a particular desired return at a lower cost to a Fund than if the Fund had invested directly in an instrument that yielded that desired return. A Funds return on a swap will depend on the ability of its counterparty to perform its obligations under the swap. The Adviser will cause a Fund to enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that would be eligible for consideration as repurchase agreement counterparties under the Funds repurchase agreement guidelines.
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The Funds may enter into interest rate swap transactions with respect to any security they are entitled to hold. Interest rate swaps involve the exchange by a Fund with another party of their respective rights to receive interest, e.g., an exchange of floating rate payments for fixed rate payments. The Funds expect to enter into these transactions primarily to preserve a return or spread on a particular investment or portion of its portfolio or to protect against any increase in the price of securities it anticipates purchasing at a later date. The Funds intend to use these transactions as a hedge and not as a speculative investment. For example, a Fund may enter into an interest rate swap in order to protect against declines in the value of fixed income securities held by the Funds. In such an instance, the Fund may agree with a counterparty to pay a fixed rate (multiplied by a notional amount) and the counterparty to pay a floating rate multiplied by the same notional amount. If interest rates rise, resulting in a diminution in the value of a Fund, the Fund would receive payments under the swap that would offset, in whole or in part, such diminution in value; if interest rates fall, the Fund would likely lose money on the swap transaction.
Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities
The Funds, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may invest in Inflation-Protection Securities (IPSs), a type of inflation-indexed Treasury security. IPSs typically provide for semiannual payments of interest and a payment of principal at maturity. In general, each payment will be adjusted to take into account any inflation or deflation that occurs between the issue date of the security and the payment date based on the Consumer Price Index for All Urban Consumers (CPI-U).
Each semiannual payment of interest will be determined by multiplying a single fixed rate of interest by the inflation-adjusted principal amount of the security for the date of the interest payment. Thus, although the interest rate will be fixed, the amount of each interest payment will vary with changes in the principal of the security as adjusted for inflation and deflation.
IPSs also provide for an additional payment (a minimum guarantee payment) at maturity if the securitys inflation-adjusted principal amount for the maturity date is less than the securitys principal amount at issuance. The amount of the additional payment will equal the excess of the securitys principal amount at issuance over the securitys inflation-adjusted principal amount for the maturity date.
U.S. Government Securities
The Funds may purchase U.S. Government securities. The types of U.S. Government obligations in which the Funds may at times invest include: (1) U.S. Treasury obligations and (2) obligations issued or guaranteed by U.S. Government agencies and instrumentalities which are supported by any of the following: (a) the full faith and credit of the U.S. Treasury, (b) the right of the issuer to borrow an amount limited to a specific line of credit from the U.S. Treasury, (c) discretionary authority of the U.S. Government agency or instrumentality, or (d) the credit of the instrumentality (examples of agencies and instrumentalities are: Federal Land Banks, Federal Housing Administration, Federal Farm Credit Bank, Farmers Home Administration, Export-Import Bank of the United States, Central Bank for Cooperatives, Federal Intermediate Credit Banks, Federal Home Loan Banks, General Services Administration, Maritime Administration, Tennessee Development Bank, Asian-American Development Bank, International Bank for Reconstruction and Development and Federal National Mortgage Association). No assurance can be given that in the future the U.S. Government will provide financial support to U.S. Government securities it is not obligated to support.
U.S. Registered Securities of Non-U.S. Issuers
The Funds may purchase publicly traded common stocks of non-U.S. 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 non-U.S. countries, and potential restrictions of the flow of international capital. Non-U.S. companies may be subject to less governmental regulation than U.S. issuers. Moreover, individual non-U.S. 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.
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A Funds investment in common stock of non-U.S. 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 non-U.S. corporation. For ADRs, the depository is typically a U.S. financial institution and the underlying securities are issued by a non-U.S. issuer. For other Depositary Receipts, the depository may be a non-U.S. or a U.S. entity, and the underlying securities may have a non-U.S. 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. A 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.
Variable Amount Master Demand Notes
The Funds, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may invest in variable amount master demand notes which are unsecured obligations that are redeemable upon demand and are typically unrated. These instruments are issued pursuant to written agreements between their issuers and holders. The agreements permit the holders to increase (subject to an agreed maximum) and the holders and issuers to decrease the principal amount of the notes, and specify that the rate of interest payable on the principal fluctuates according to an agreed formula. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of these securities than on the market value of comparable fixed income obligations. Thus, investing in these securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed income securities. There may be no active secondary market with respect to a particular variable rate instrument.
Variable and Floating Rate Securities
The Funds, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may invest in variable and floating rate securities. Variable rate securities are instruments issued or guaranteed by entities such as (1) U.S. Government, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, (2) corporations, (3) financial institutions, (4) insurance companies or (5) trusts that have a rate of interest subject to adjustment at regular intervals but less frequently than annually. A variable rate security provides for the automatic establishment of a new interest rate on set dates. Interest rates on these securities are ordinarily tied to, and are a percentage of, a widely recognized interest rate, such as the yield on 90-day U.S. Treasury bills or the prime rate of a specified bank. These rates may change as often as twice daily. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a smaller effect on the market value of variable and floating rate securities than on the market value of comparable fixed income obligations. Thus, investing in variable and floating rate securities generally allows less opportunity for capital appreciation and depreciation than investing in comparable fixed income securities. Variable rate obligations will be deemed to have a maturity equal to the period remaining until the next readjustment of the interest rate.
When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Securities
Each Fund, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may purchase securities on a when-issued basis, and may purchase or sell those securities for delayed delivery. Delivery of and payment for these securities may take place as long as a month or more after the date of the purchase commitment. The value of these securities is subject to market fluctuation during this period, and no income accrues to a Fund until settlement takes place. When entering into a when-issued or delayed-delivery transaction, a Fund will rely on the other party to consummate the transaction; if the other party fails to do so, the Fund may be disadvantaged. A Fund will not accrue income with respect to a when-issued or delayed delivery security prior to its stated delivery date.
Securities purchased on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis and held by a Fund are subject to changes in market value based upon actual or perceived changes in the level of interest rates. Generally, the value of such securities will fluctuate inversely to changes in interest rates i.e. , they will appreciate in value when interest rates decline and decrease in value when interest rates rise. Therefore, if in order to achieve higher interest income a Fund remains substantially fully invested at the same time that it has purchased securities on a when-issued or delayed-delivery basis, there will be a greater possibility of fluctuation in the Funds net asset value (NAV).
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Zero Coupon Securities
The Funds, except for the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, may invest in zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities are notes, bonds and debentures that: (1) do not pay current interest and are issued at a substantial discount from par value; (2) have been stripped of their unmatured interest coupons and receipts; or (3) pay no interest until a stated date one or more years into the future. These securities also include certificates representing interests in such stripped coupons and receipts. Generally, changes in interest rates will have a greater impact on the market value of a zero coupon security than on the market value of the comparable securities that pay interest periodically during the life of the instrument. The Funds will not receive cash payments on a current basis from the issuer in respect of accrued original issue discount (OID), but investors will be required to accrue OID for U.S. federal income tax purposes. To generate sufficient cash to make the requisite distributions to maintain its qualification for treatment as a RIC, a Fund (or a Portfolio or Underlying Fund, as applicable) may be required to sell investments, including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so.
A number of securities firms and banks have stripped the interest coupons and resold them in custodian receipt programs with different names such as Treasury Income Growth Receipts (TIGRS) and Certificates of Accrual on Treasuries (CATS). Privately-issued stripped securities such as TIGRS and CATS are not themselves guaranteed by the U.S. Government, but the future payment of principal or interest on U.S. Treasury obligations which they represent is so guaranteed.
Asset Segregation and Coverage
A Fund may be required to earmark or otherwise segregate liquid assets in respect of its obligations under derivatives transactions that involve contractual obligations to pay in the future, or a Fund may engage in other measures to cover its obligations with respect to such transactions. The amounts that are earmarked or otherwise segregated may be based on the notional value of the derivative or on the daily mark-to-market obligation under the derivatives contract and may be reduced by amounts on deposit with the applicable broker or counterparty to the derivatives transaction. In certain circumstances, a Fund may enter into an offsetting position rather than earmarking or segregating liquid assets. A Fund may modify its asset segregation and coverage policies from time to time. Although earmarking or segregating may in certain cases have the effect of limiting a Funds ability to engage in derivatives transactions, the extent of any such limitation will depend on a variety of factors, including the method by which the Fund determines the nature and amount of assets to be earmarked or segregated.
Master/Feeder Structure
The Target Retirement Funds, the Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, the Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund, Disciplined International Equity Fund, and the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund may in the future determine to become a feeder fund that invests all of its assets in another open-end investment company (a master fund) that has substantially similar investment strategies as the Fund. This structure is sometimes called a master/feeder structure.
Fundamental Investment Restrictions
The Portfolios in which the Feeder Funds invest each have substantially the same investment restrictions as their corresponding Funds. In reviewing the description of a Feeder Funds investment restrictions below, you should assume that the investment restrictions of the corresponding Portfolio are the same in all material respects as those of the Feeder Fund.
The Trust has adopted the following restrictions applicable to the Funds, which may not be changed without the affirmative vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of a Fund, which is defined in the 1940 Act to mean the affirmative vote of the lesser of (1) more than 50% of the outstanding shares of the Fund and (2) 67% or more of the shares present at a meeting if more than 50% of the outstanding shares are present at the meeting in person or by proxy.
1. | A Fund may borrow money and issue senior securities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
2. | A Fund may make loans, including to affiliated investment companies, to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
3. | A Fund may purchase or sell commodities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
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4. | A Fund may purchase, sell or hold real estate to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
5. | A Fund may underwrite securities to the extent consistent with applicable law from time to time. |
For the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, the International Developed Equity Index Fund, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, the Disciplined Global Equity Fund, the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and the Disciplined International Equity Fund:
6. | A Fund may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Funds total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: each Fund is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) and tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing. Each Fund may concentrate its investments in securities of issuers in the same industry as may be necessary to approximate the composition of the Funds underlying Index. |
For the Target Date Funds, the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, the Disciplined Global Equity Fund, the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund, and the Disciplined International Equity Fund:
6. | A Fund may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Funds total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: each Fund is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) and tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing. |
For the Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund:
6. | The Fund may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Funds total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except securities of companies directly or indirectly engaged in the real estate industry and except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: the Fund is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) and tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing. |
For the Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund:
6. | The Fund may not purchase any security if, as a result, 25% or more of the Funds total assets (taken at current value) would be invested in a particular industry (for purposes of this restriction, investment companies are not considered to constitute a particular industry or group of industries), except securities of companies directly or indirectly engaged in the infrastructure industry and except as is consistent with applicable law from time to time and as follows: the Fund is permitted to invest without limit in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) and tax-exempt securities issued by a U.S. territory or possession, a state or local government, or a political subdivision of any of the foregoing. |
For purposes of the above investment limitation number 6, in the case of a tax-exempt bond issued by a non-governmental user, where the tax-exempt bond is backed only by the assets and revenues of the non-governmental user, then such non-governmental user would be deemed to be the sole issuer. For each Fund, all percentage limitations (except the limitation to borrowings) on investments will apply at the time of the making of an investment and shall not be considered violated unless an excess or deficiency occurs or exists immediately after and as a result of such investment. Except for the investment restrictions expressly identified as fundamental, or to the extent designated as such in the Prospectus with respect to a Fund, the other investment policies described in this SAI or in the Prospectus are not fundamental and may be changed by approval of the Trustees without shareholder approval.
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Non-Fundamental Investment Restrictions
In addition, it is contrary to the present policies of the Equity 500 Index II Fund and Global Equity Ex-U.S. Index Fund to invest in securitized instruments (including asset-backed securities, mortgage-backed securities, or asset-backed commercial paper) nor sweep excess cash into any non-governmental money market fund.
Additional Strategy Information
For Disciplined Global Equity Fund, Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund, and Disciplined International Equity Fund :
| At least 90% of each Funds net assets will be invested in publically traded equity securities |
For the Target Retirement Funds:
| With respect to Target Retirement 2015 Fund (the 2015 Fund), at least 40% of the 2015 Funds assets will be invested in underlying equity funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in public equity securities included in such underlying equity funds index, and at least 17% of the 2015 Funds assets will be invested in underlying government securities index funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in government securities included in such underlying government funds index. |
| With respect to Target Retirement 2020 Fund (the 2020 Fund), at least 53% of the 2020 Funds assets will be invested in underlying equity funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in public equity securities included in such underlying equity funds index, and at least 10% of the 2020 Funds assets will be invested in underlying government securities index funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in government securities included in such underlying government funds index. |
| With respect to Target Retirement 2025 Fund (the 2025 Fund), at least 63% of the 2025 Funds assets will be invested in underlying equity funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in public equity securities included in such underlying equity funds index, and at least 8% of the 2025 Funds assets will be invested in underlying government securities index funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in government securities included in such underlying government funds index. |
| With respect to Target Retirement 2030 Fund (the 2030 Fund), at least 70% of the 2030 Funds assets will be invested in underlying equity funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in public equity securities included in such underlying equity funds index, and at least 6% of the 2030 Funds assets will be invested in underlying government securities index funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in government securities included in such underlying government funds index. |
| With respect to Target Retirement 2035 Fund (the 2035 Fund), at least 77% of the 2035 Funds assets will be invested in underlying equity funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in public equity securities included in such underlying equity funds index, and at least 4% of the 2035 Funds assets will be invested in underlying government securities index funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in government securities included in such underlying government funds index. |
| With respect to Target Retirement 2040 Fund (the 2040 Fund), at least 82% of the 2040 Funds assets will be invested in underlying equity funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in public equity securities included in such underlying equity funds index, and at least 4% of the 2040 Funds assets will be invested in underlying government securities index funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in government securities included in such underlying government funds index. |
| With respect to Target Retirement 2045 Fund (the 2045 Fund), at least 85% of the 2045 Funds assets will be invested in underlying equity funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in public equity securities included in such underlying equity funds index, and at least 4% of the 2045 Funds assets will be invested in underlying government securities index funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in government securities included in such underlying government funds index. |
| With respect to Target Retirement 2050 Fund (the 2050 Fund), at least 85% of the 2050 Funds assets will be invested in underlying equity funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in public equity securities included in such underlying equity funds index, and at least 4% of the 2050 Funds assets will be invested in underlying government securities index funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in government securities included in such underlying government funds index. |
| With respect to Target Retirement 2055 Fund (the 2055 Fund), at least 85% of the 2055 Funds assets will be invested in underlying equity funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in public equity securities included in such underlying equity funds index, and at least 4% of the 2055 Funds assets will be invested in underlying government securities index funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in government securities included in such underlying government funds index. |
| With respect to Target Retirement 2060 Fund (the 2060 Fund), at least 85% of the 2060 Funds assets will be invested in underlying equity funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in public equity securities included in such underlying equity funds index, and at least 4% of the 2060 Funds assets will be invested in underlying government securities index funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in government securities included in such underlying government funds index. |
| With respect to Target Retirement Fund (the Retirement Fund), at least 30% of the Retirement Funds assets will be invested in underlying equity funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in public equity securities included in such underlying equity funds index, and at least 28% of the Retirement Funds assets will be invested in underlying government securities index funds that each invest at least 80% of their respective assets in government securities included in such underlying government funds index. |
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
Introduction
The policies set forth below to be followed by CBRE Clarion Securities LLC (CBRE Clarion or the Sub-Adviser), State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street) and SSGA FM (collectively, the Service Providers) for the disclosure of information about the portfolio holdings of the SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, and State Street Institutional Investment Trust (each, a Trust). These disclosure policies are intended to ensure compliance by the Service Providers and the Trust with applicable regulations of the federal securities laws, including the 1940 Act and the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended. The Board of Trustees of the Trust must approve all material amendments to the policy.
General Policy
It is the policy of the Service Providers to protect the confidentiality of client holdings and prevent the selective disclosure of non-public information concerning the Trust.
Exception
No information concerning the portfolio holdings of the Trust may be disclosed to any party (including shareholders) except as provided below.
Publicly Available Information. Any party may disclose portfolio holdings information after the holdings are publicly available.
Disclosure of the complete holdings of each Fund is required to be made quarterly within 60 days of the end of the Funds fiscal quarter in the Annual Report and Semi-Annual Report to Fund shareholders and in the quarterly holdings report on Form N-Q (filed after the first and third fiscal quarters). These reports are available, free of charge, on the EDGAR database on the SECs website at www.sec.gov. Information about a Funds 10 largest holdings generally is posted on the Funds website at SSGAFUNDS.com, within 30 days following the end of each month. Each Fund will also make complete portfolio holdings available generally no later than 60 calendar days after the end of the Funds fiscal quarter or subsequent to periodic portfolio holdings disclosure in the Funds filings with the SEC or on their website. Each money market fund generally will post on its website (or, in the case of a master fund, on the corresponding feeder funds website) a full list of its portfolio holdings each Friday reflecting the portfolio holdings of the fund on the immediately preceding Wednesday.
Press Interviews Brokers and Other Discussions
Portfolio managers and other senior officers or spokespersons of the Service Providers or the Trust may disclose or confirm the ownership of any individual portfolio holding position to reporters, brokers, shareholders, consultants or other interested persons only if such information has been previously publicly disclosed in accordance with these disclosure policies. For example, a portfolio manager discussing the Trust may indicate that he owns XYZ Company for the Trust only if the Trusts ownership of such company has previously been publicly disclosed.
Trading Desk Reports
State Street Global Advisors trading desk may periodically distribute lists of investments held by its clients (including the Trust) for general analytical research purposes. In no case may such lists identify individual clients or individual client position sizes. Furthermore, in the case of equity securities, such lists shall not show aggregate client position sizes.
Miscellaneous
Confidentiality Agreement . No non-public disclosure of the Trusts portfolio holdings will be made to any party unless such party has signed a written Confidentiality Agreement. For purposes of the disclosure policies, any Confidentiality Agreement must be in a form and substance acceptable to, and approved by, the Trusts officers.
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Evaluation Service Providers. There are numerous mutual fund evaluation services (Morningstar and Lipper) and due diligence departments of broker-dealers and wirehouses that regularly analyze the portfolio holdings of mutual funds in order to monitor and report on various attributes. These services and departments then distribute the results of their analysis to the public, paid subscribers and/or in-house brokers. In order to facilitate the review of the Trust by these services and departments, the Trust may distribute (or authorize the Service Providers and the Trusts custodian or fund accountants to distribute) month-end portfolio holdings to such services and departments only if such entity has executed a confidentiality agreement.
Additional Restrictions . Notwithstanding anything herein to the contrary, the Trusts Board of Trustees, State Street and SSGA FM may, on a case-by-case basis, impose additional restrictions on the dissemination of portfolio information beyond those found in these disclosure policies.
Waivers of Restrictions. These disclosure policies may not be waived, or exceptions made, without the consent of the Trusts officers. All waivers and exceptions involving the Trust will be disclosed to the Board of Trustees of the Trust no later than its next regularly scheduled quarterly meeting.
Disclosures Required by Law . Nothing contained herein is intended to prevent the disclosure of portfolio holdings information as may be required by applicable law. For example, SSGA FM, State Street, the Trust or any of its affiliates or service providers may file any report required by applicable law (such as Schedules 13D, 13G and 13F or Form N-MFP), respond to requests from regulators and comply with valid subpoenas.
SSGA Active Trusts and State Street Master Funds Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings Policy : Each of SSGA Active Trust and State Street Master Funds have adopted a policy regarding the disclosure of information about its portfolio holdings. The Boards of Trustees of SSGA Active Trust and State Street Master Funds must approve all material amendments to each policy. A Portfolios portfolio holdings are publicly disseminated each day the Portfolio is open for business through financial reporting and news services including publicly accessible Internet web sites. SSGA Active Trust, the Adviser, or State Street will not disseminate non-public information concerning SSGA Active Trust, except information may be made available prior to its public availability: (i) to a party for a legitimate business purpose related to the day-to-day operations of the SSGA Active Trust, including (a) a service provider, (b) the stock exchanges upon which the ETF is listed, (c) the NSCC, (d) the Depository Trust Company, and (e) financial data/research companies such as Morningstar, Bloomberg L.P., and Reuters, or (ii) to any other party for a legitimate business or regulatory purpose, upon waiver or exception, with the consent of an applicable officer of such Trust. State Street Master Funds, the Adviser, or State Street will not disseminate non-public information concerning State Street Master Funds to any party unless such party has signed a written confidentiality agreement.
MANAGEMENT OF THE TRUST AND STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS
The Trustees are responsible for generally overseeing the business of the Trust and State Street Master Funds (collectively, the Trusts). The following table provides information with respect to each Trustee, including those Trustees who are not considered to be interested as that term is defined in the 1940 Act (the Independent Trustees), and each officer of the Trusts.
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NAME, ADDRESS, AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH TRUST |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS AND RELEVANT EXPERIENCE |
NUMBER OF FUNDS IN FUND COMPLEX OVERSEEN BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER DIRECTORSHIPS HELD BY TRUSTEE DURING PAST FIVE YEARS |
|||||
INDEPENDENT TRUSTEES | ||||||||||
Michael F. Holland c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1944 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Board |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 |
Chairman, Holland & Company L.L.C. (investment adviser) (1995- present). |
75 | Director, the Holland Series Fund, Inc.; Director, The China Fund, Inc.; Director, The Taiwan Fund, Inc.; Director, Reaves Utility Income Fund, Inc.; and Director, Blackstone/GSO Loan Funds. | |||||
Patrick J. Riley c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1948 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Board |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
2002 to May 2010, Associate Justice of the Superior Court, Commonwealth of Massachusetts; 1985 to 2002, Partner, Riley, Burke & Donahue, L.L.P. (law firm); 1998 to Present, Independent Director, State Street Global Advisers Ireland, Ltd. (investment company); 1998 to Present, Independent Director, SSGA Liquidity plc (formerly, SSGA Cash Management Fund plc); January 2009 to Present, Independent Director, SSGA Fixed Income plc; and January 2009 to Present, Independent Director, SSGA Qualified Funds PLC. | 75 | Board Director and Chairman, SPDR Europe 1PLC Board (2011-Present); Board Director and Chairman, SPDR Europe II, PLC (2013- Present). | |||||
William L. Boyan c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1937 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Valuation Committee | Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 | President and Chief Operations Officer, John Hancock Financial Services (1959 1999). Mr. Boyan retired in 1999. Chairman Emeritus, Childrens Hospital, Boston, MA (1984 2011); Former Trustee of Old Mutual South Africa Master Trust (investments) (1995 2008); Former Chairman, Boston Plan For Excellence, Boston Public Schools (1995 2010); Member of Advisory Board of Florida Atlantic University Lifelong Learning Society. | 75 | Former Trustee of Old Mutual South Africa Master Trust. |
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William L. Marshall c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1942 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Audit Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
April 2011 to Present, Chairman (until April 2011, Chief Executive Officer and President), Wm. L. Marshall Associates, Inc., Wm. L. Marshall Companies, Inc. and the Marshall Financial Group, Inc. (a registered investment adviser and provider of financial and related consulting services); Certified Financial Planner; Member, Financial Planners Association; 2015 to present, Board member, The Doylestown Health Foundation Board. | 75 | Director, Marshall Financial Group, Inc. | |||||
Richard D. Shirk c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1945 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
March 2001 to April 2002, Chairman (1996 to March 2001, President and Chief Executive Officer), Cerulean Companies, Inc. (holding company) (Retired); 1992 to March 2001, President and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Cross Blue Shield of Georgia (health insurer, managed healthcare); 1998 to December 2008, Chairman, Board Member and December 2008 to Present, Investment Committee Member, Healthcare Georgia Foundation (private foundation); September 2002 to 2012, Lead Director and Board Member, Amerigroup Corp. (managed health care); 1999 to 2013, Board Member and (since 2001) Investment Committee Member, Woodruff Arts Center; and 2003 to 2009, Trustee, Gettysburg College. | 75 | Board member, AeroCare Holdings (privately held healthcare services company) (February 2003-Present); Board member, Regenesis Biomedical (health care services) (April 2012-Present), Chairman, (January 2014 present). | |||||
Rina K. Spence c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1948 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee and Co-Chairman of the Governance Committee | Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 | President of SpenceCare International LLC (international healthcare consulting) (1999 present); Chief Executive Officer, IEmily.com (health internet company) (2000 2001); Chief Executive Officer of Consensus Pharmaceutical, Inc. (1998 1999); Founder, President and Chief Executive Officer of Spence Center for Womens Health (1994 1998); President and CEO, Emerson Hospital (1984 1994); Trustee, Eastern Enterprise (utilities) (1988 2000); Director, Berkshire Life Insurance Company of America (1993 2009); Honorary Consul for Monaco in Boston (2015 present) | 75 |
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Bruce D. Taber c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1943 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Valuation Committee and Co-Chairman of the Governance Committee |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 1/14 |
1999 to Present, Partner, Zenergy LLC (a technology company providing Computer Modeling and System Analysis to the General Electric Power Generation Division); Until December 2008, Independent Director, SSGA Cash Management Fund plc; Until December 2008, Independent Director, State Street Global Advisers Ireland, Ltd. (investment companies); and Until August 1994, President, Alonzo B. Reed, Inc., (a Boston architect-engineering firm). | 75 | ||||||
Douglas T. Williams c/o State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, CPH 0326 Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1940 |
Trustee and Co-Chairman of the Audit Committee | Term: Indefinite Elected: 7/99 | President, Oakmont Homeowners Association; President, Mariner Sands Chapel; Executive Vice President and member of Executive Committee, Chase Manhattan Bank (1987 -1999); President, Boston Stock Exchange Depository Trust Company, 1981-1982; Treasurer, Nantucket Educational Trust, (2002-2007). | 75 | ||||||
INTERESTED TRUSTEE (1) | ||||||||||
James E. Ross SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1965 |
Trustee |
Term: Indefinite Elected Trustee: 2/07 |
Chairman and Director, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2012 present); President, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2005 2012); Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (2006 present); and Principal, State Street Global Advisors (2006 present). | 306 | Trustee, SPDR Series Trust; Trustee, SPDR Index Shares Funds; Trustee, Select Sector SPDR Trust; Trustee, SSGA Active ETF Trust; and Trustee, SSGA Master Trust. |
(1) | Mr. Ross is an interested Trustee because of his employment by SSGA Funds Management, Inc., an affiliate of the Trust. |
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NAME, ADDRESS, AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH TRUST |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS |
|||
OFFICERS: | ||||||
Ellen M. Needham SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1967 |
President | Term: Indefinite Elected: 10/12 | President and Director, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (June 2012 present); Chief Operating Officer, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (May 2010 - June 2012); Senior Managing Director, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (1992-2012) and Senior Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors (1992-present).* | |||
Ann M. Carpenter SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1966 |
Vice President and Deputy Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 10/12 Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
Chief Operating Officer, SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2014- present); Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2005 present).* | |||
Chad C. Hallett SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1969 |
Deputy Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
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).* | |||
Bruce S. Rosenberg SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1961 |
Treasurer | Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 | Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (July 2015 present); Director, Credit Suisse (April 2008 July 2015). | |||
Sujata Upreti SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1974 |
Assistant Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (May 2015 present); Assistant Director, Cambridge Associates, LLC (July 2014 January 2015); Vice President, Bank of New York Mellon (July 2012 August 2013); Manager, PricewaterhouseCoopers, LLP (September 2003 July 2012). | |||
Daniel Foley SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1972 |
Assistant Treasurer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/16 |
Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2014 present); Principal, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (April 2007 April 2014). | |||
Trevor Swanberg SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1979 |
Code of Ethics Compliance Officer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 8/15 |
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). |
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NAME, ADDRESS, AND YEAR OF BIRTH |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH TRUST |
TERM OF OFFICE AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION DURING PAST FIVE YEARS |
|||
Brian Harris State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111 YOB: 1973 |
Chief Compliance Officer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 11/13 |
Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2016 Present); Vice President, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (June 2013-2016); Senior Vice President and Global Head of Investment Compliance, BofA Global Capital Management (September 2010 to May 2013); Director of Compliance, AARP Financial Inc. (July 2008 to August 2010). | |||
Joshua A. Weinberg SSGA Funds Management, Inc. State Street Financial Center One Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2900 YOB: 1978 |
Chief Legal Officer |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/15 |
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). | |||
David K. James State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, 3 rd Floor Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1970 |
Secretary |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 4/13 |
Managing Director and Managing Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2009 - present); Vice President and Counsel, PNC Global Investment Servicing (US), Inc. (20062009). | |||
Kristin Schantz State Street Bank and Trust Company 100 Huntington Avenue, 3 rd Floor Boston, MA 02116 YOB: 1979 |
Assistant Secretary |
Term: Indefinite Elected: 2/14 |
Vice President and Senior Counsel, State Street Bank and Trust Company (2013- present); Vice President, Citi Fund Services Ohio, Inc. (2008-2013). |
* | Served in various capacities and/or with various affiliated entities during noted time period. |
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The By-Laws of the Trust provide that the Trust shall indemnify each person who is or was a Trustee of the Trust against all expenses, judgments, fines, settlements and other amounts actually and reasonably incurred in connection with any proceedings if the person in good faith and reasonably believes that his or her conduct was in the Trusts best interest. The Trust, at its expense, provides liability insurance for the benefit of its Trustees and officers.
Summary of Trustees Qualifications
Following is a summary of the experience, attributes and skills which qualify each Trustee to serve on the Boards of Trustees of the Trust and State Street Master Funds.
Michael F. Holland: Mr. Holland is an experienced business executive with over 45 years of experience in the financial services industry including 20 years as a portfolio manager of another registered mutual fund; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the Trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those Trusts.
William L. Boyan: Mr. Boyan is an experienced business executive with over 43 years of experience in the insurance industry; his experience includes prior service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies and charities and an executive position with a major insurance company. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the Trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those Trusts.
Rina K. Spence: Ms. Spence is an experienced business executive with over 35 years of experience in the health care industry; her experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies, charities and utility companies and chief executive positions for various health care companies. She has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the Trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those Trusts.
Douglas T. Williams: Mr. Williams is an experienced business executive with over 42 years of experience in the banking industry; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies and charities and senior executive positions of major bank organizations. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 16 years (since the Trusts inception) and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of those Trusts.
James E. Ross: Mr. Ross is an experienced business executive with over 26 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Master Funds for 8 years and as President of the Trusts for 9 years and possesses significant experience regarding the Trusts operations and history. Mr. Ross is also a senior executive officer of State Street Global Advisors.
William L. Marshall: Mr. Marshall is an experienced business executive with over 45 years of experience in the financial services industry; his experience includes service as an advisor trustee or officer of various investment companies and charities. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 27 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Patrick J. Riley: Mr. Riley is an experienced business executive with over 39 years of experience in the legal and financial services industries; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies and Associate Justice of the Superior Court of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 27 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Richard D. Shirk: Mr. Shirk is an experienced business executive with over 47 years of experience in the health care and insurance industries and with investment matters; his experience includes service as a trustee, director or officer of various health care companies and nonprofit organizations. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 27 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
Bruce D. Taber: Mr. Taber is an experienced business executive with over 42 years of experience in the power generation, technology and engineering industries; his experience includes service as a trustee or director of various investment companies. He has served on the Board of Trustees and related Committees of SSGA Funds for 24 years and possesses significant experience regarding the operations and history of the Trust.
40
References to the experience, attributes and skills of Trustees above are pursuant to requirements of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), do not constitute holding out of the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and shall not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board by reason thereof.
Standing Committees
The Board of Trustees has established various committees to facilitate the timely and efficient consideration of various matters of importance to Independent Trustees, the Trust, and the Trusts shareholders and to facilitate compliance with legal and regulatory requirements. Currently, the Board has created an Audit Committee, Governance Committee, Valuation Committee and Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee.
The Audit Committee is composed of all of the Independent Trustees. The Audit Committee meets twice a year, or more often as required, in conjunction with meetings of the Board of Trustees. The Audit Committee oversees and monitors the Trusts internal accounting and control structure, its auditing function and its financial reporting process. The Audit Committee is responsible for selecting and retaining the independent accountants for the Trust. The Audit Committee is responsible for approving the audit plans, fees and other material arrangements in respect of the engagement of the independent accountants, including non-audit services performed. The Audit Committee reviews the qualifications of the independent accountants key personnel involved in the foregoing activities and monitors the independent accountants independence. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Audit Committee held four meetings.
The Governance Committee is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the Governance Committee, including the Nominating Committee (a sub-committee of the Governance Committee), is to review and evaluate the composition and performance of the Board; make nominations for membership on the Board and committees; review the responsibilities of each committee; and review governance procedures, and compensation of Independent Trustees. The Nominating Committee will consider nominees to the Board recommended by shareholders. Recommendations should be submitted in accordance with the procedures set forth in the Nominating Committee Charter and should be submitted in writing to the Trust, to the attention of the Trusts Secretary, at the address of the principal executive offices of the Trust. Shareholder recommendations must be delivered to, or mailed and received at, the principal executive offices of the Trust not less than sixty (60) calendar days nor more than ninety (90) calendar days prior to the date of the Board or shareholder meeting at which the nominee candidate would be considered for election. The Governance Committee performs an annual Board self-evaluation. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Governance Committee held two meetings.
The Valuation Committee is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The Valuation Committees primary purpose is to review the actions and recommendations of the Advisers Oversight Committee. The Trust has established procedures and guidelines for valuing portfolio securities and making fair value determinations from time to time. The Valuation Committee is responsible for overseeing the Funds valuation determinations, with the assistance of the Oversight Committee, State Street and SSGA FM. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Valuation Committee held four meetings.
The Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee (the QLCC) is composed of all the Independent Trustees. The primary functions of the QLCC are to receive quarterly reports from the Trusts chief compliance officer (the Chief Compliance Officer); to oversee generally the Trusts responses to regulatory inquiries; and to investigate matters referred to it by the Chief Legal Officer and make recommendations to the Board regarding the implementation of an appropriate response to evidence of a material violation of the securities laws or breach of fiduciary duty or similar violation by the Trust, its officers or the Trustees. During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015, the Qualified Legal and Compliance Committee held four meetings.
41
Leadership Structure and Risk Management Oversight
The Board has chosen to select different individuals as Co-Chairpersons of the Board of the Trust and as President of the Trust. Currently, Mr. Holland and Mr. Riley, both Independent Trustees, serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Board, Mr. Marshall and Mr. Williams serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Audit Committee, Mr. Shirk and Ms. Spence serve as Co-Chairpersons of the QLCC, Mr. Boyan and Mr. Taber serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Valuation Committee and Mr. Taber and Ms. Spence serve as Co-Chairpersons of the Governance Committee.
Mr. Ross, who is also an employee of the Adviser, serve as Trustee of the Trust and Ellen Needham, who is also an employee of the Adviser, serves as President of the Trust. The Board believes that this leadership structure is appropriate, since Mr. Ross and Ms. Needham provide the Board with insight regarding the Trusts day-to-day management, while Mr. Holland and Mr. Riley provide an independent perspective on the Trusts overall operation and Mr. Marshall and Mr. Williams provide a specialized perspective on audit matters.
The Board has delegated management of the Trust to service providers who are responsible for the day-to-day management of risks applicable to the Trust. The Board oversees risk management for the Trust in several ways. The Board receives regular reports from both the Chief Compliance Officer and administrator for the Trust, detailing the results of the Trusts compliance with its Board-adopted policies and procedures, the investment policies and limitations of the Funds, and applicable provisions of the federal securities laws and the Code. As needed, the Adviser discusses management issues regarding the Trust with the Board, soliciting the Boards input on many aspects of management, including potential risks to the Fund. The Boards Audit Committee also receives reports on various aspects of risk that might affect the Trust and offers advice to management, as appropriate. The Trustees also meet in executive session with the independent counsel to the Independent Trustees, the independent registered public accounting firm, counsel to the Trust, the Chief Compliance Officer and representatives of management, as needed. Through these regular reports and interactions, the Board oversees the risk management parameters for the Trust, which are effected on a day-to-day basis by service providers to the Trust.
Trustee Ownership of Securities of the Trust, Adviser and Distributor
As of December 31, 2015 none of the Independent Trustees or their immediate family members had any ownership of securities of the Adviser or State Street Global Markets, LLC (SSGM), the Trusts distributor, or any person directly or indirectly controlling, controlled by or under common control with the Adviser or SSGM.
The following table sets forth information describing the dollar range of the Trusts equity securities beneficially owned by each Trustee as of December 31, 2015.
Name of Independent Trustee |
Dollar Range Of Equity Securities In The Funds |
Aggregate Dollar Range
Of Equity Securities In All Registered Investment Companies Overseen By Trustees In Family of Investment Companies |
||
William L. Boyan |
None | None | ||
Michael F. Holland |
None | None | ||
William L. Marshall |
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Patrick J. Riley |
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund:
Over $100,000; |
Over $100,000 | ||
Richard D. Shirk |
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Rina K. Spence |
None | None | ||
Bruce D. Taber |
None | Over $100,000 | ||
Douglas T. Williams |
None | None | ||
Name of Interested Trustee |
||||
James E. Ross |
None | Over $100,000 |
42
Trustee Compensation
Each Independent Trustee receives for his or her services to the State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust and SSGA Funds, a $141,500 annual base retainer in addition to $18,000 for each in-person meeting and $2,000 for each telephonic meeting from the Trust. The Trust pays a fixed allocation of $15,000 per Fund. The Co-Chairmen receive an additional $44,000 annual retainer. The Independent Trustees are reimbursed for travel and other out-of pocket expenses in connection with meeting attendance. As of the date of this annual report, the Trustees were not paid pension or retirement benefits as part of the Trusts expenses.
The Trusts officers are compensated by the Adviser and its affiliates.
The following table sets forth the total remuneration of Trustees and officers of the Trust for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015:
AGGREGATE
COMPENSATION FROM THE TRUST |
PENSION OR
RETIREMENT BENEFITS ACCRUED AS PART OF TRUST EXPENSES |
ESTIMATED
ANNUAL BENEFITS UPON RETIREMENT |
TOTAL
COMPENSATION FROM TRUST & FUND COMPLEX PAID TO TRUSTEES |
|||||||||||||
NAME OF INDEPENDENT TRUSTEE |
||||||||||||||||
William L. Boyan, Trustee |
$ | 175,788 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Michael F. Holland, Trustee |
$ | 211,387 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 266,000 | ||||||||
William L. Marshall, Trustee |
$ | 169,297 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Patrick J. Riley, Trustee |
$ | 202,548 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 266,000 | ||||||||
Richard D. Shirk, Trustee |
$ | 169,297 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Rina K. Spence, Trustee |
$ | 175,788 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Bruce D. Taber, Trustee |
$ | 169,297 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
Douglas T. Williams, Trustee |
$ | 175,788 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 222,000 | ||||||||
NAME OF INTERESTED TRUSTEE |
||||||||||||||||
James E. Ross, Trustee |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Gregory A. Ehret 1 |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Scott F. Powers 2 |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
1 | Mr. Ehret served as a Trustee from August 2015 until December 2015. |
2 | Mr. Powers served as a Trustee until May 2015. |
Trustees and Officers of the SSGA Active Trust
The trustees of the SSGA Active Trust are responsible for generally overseeing the SSGA Active Trusts business. The following table provides biographical information with respect to each trustee and officer of the SSGA Active Trust. The Trustees and Officers listed below are responsible for overseeing the Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Portfolio, in which the Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund generally invests substantially all of its assets; and the Disciplined Global Equity Portfolio, in which the Disciplined Global Equity Fund invests substantially all of its assets.
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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
|
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). | 204 | 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. | 204 | 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. | 204 |
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). | 204 | 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. | 204 | 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
|
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). |
306 | 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. |
45
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); Managing Director, 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).* |
46
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 |
Managing Director, State Street Global Advisors and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (2016- Present); 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. |
Summary of Trustees Qualifications SSGA Active Trust
The SSGA Active Trust has concluded that each of the Trustees should serve on the SSGA Active Trusts Board because of his or her ability to review and understand information about the Portfolios 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 Portfolio, and to exercise his or her business judgment in a manner that serves the best interests of each Portfolios shareholders. The SSGA Active Trusts 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 SSGA Active Trusts 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 SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since 2000.
The SSGA Active Trusts 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 SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since 2000.
The SSGA Active Trusts 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, her knowledge of the financial services industry and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since April 2010.
The SSGA Active Trusts 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, the Head of the Fixed Income Division of one of the nations leading mutual fund companies and provider of financial services, his knowledge of the financial services industry and the experience he has gained serving as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since April 2010.
47
The SSGA Active Trusts 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, including SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since April 2010.
The SSGA Active Trusts 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 SPDR Index Shares Funds and SPDR Series Trust since 2005 (Mr. Ross did not serve as Trustee of SPDR Index Shares Funds or SPDR Series Trust from December 2009 until April 2010).
In its periodic assessment of the effectiveness of the SSGA Active Trusts Board, the SSGA Active Trusts Board considers the complementary individual skills and experience of the individual Trustees primarily in the broader context of the SSGA Active Trusts Boards overall composition so that the SSGA Active Trusts Board, as a body, possesses the appropriate (and appropriately diverse) skills and experience to oversee the business of the Portfolios.
Codes of Ethics
The Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and SSGM have each adopted a code of ethics (together, the Codes of Ethics) as required by applicable law, which is designed to prevent affiliated persons of the Trust, the Adviser, the Sub-Adviser and the Distributor from engaging in deceptive, manipulative or fraudulent activities in connection with securities held or to be acquired by the Funds (which may also be held by persons subject to the Codes of Ethics). The Codes of Ethics permit personnel, subject to the Codes of Ethics and their provisions, to invest in securities for their personal investment accounts, subject to certain limitations, including securities that may be purchased or held by the Trust, Adviser, the Sub-Adviser, State Street or SSGM.
The Trust has adopted proxy voting procedures pursuant to which the Trust delegates the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Funds and Portfolios to the Adviser or Sub-Adviser, as applicable, as part of the Advisers and Sub-Advisers general management of the Funds and Portfolios, subject to the Boards continuing oversight. A copy of the Trusts proxy voting procedures is located in Appendix B, a copy of the Advisers proxy voting procedures is located in Appendix C and a copy of the Sub-Advisers proxy voting procedures is located in Appendix D.
Shareholders may receive information regarding how the Funds voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ending June 30 (i) by calling (877) 521-4083 or (ii) on the SECs website at www.sec.gov .
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of April 1, 2016, the Trustees and officers of the Trust owned in the aggregate less than 1% of the shares of each class (if applicable) of each Fund.
Persons or organizations owning 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund may be presumed to control (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) a Fund. As a result, these persons or organizations could have the ability to approve or reject those matters submitted to the shareholders of such Fund for their approval. As of April 1, 2016, to the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons held of record or beneficially through one or more accounts 25% or more of the outstanding shares of a Fund.
Name and Address |
Percentage | |||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund- Administrative Shares |
||||
American United Life Insurance Company American Unit Trust Attn: Separate Accounts P.O. Box 368 Indianapolis, IN 46206 |
89.37 | % |
48
Name and Address |
Percentage | |||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund- Class R Shares |
||||
American United Life Insurance Company American Unit Trust Attn: Separate Accounts P.O. Box 368 Indianapolis, IN 46206 |
98.01 | % | ||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund- Service Shares |
||||
Calvert Distributors Inc. FBO DC Plan Single Fund Option 4550 Montgomery Ave. Suite 1000N Bethesda, MD 20814-3384 |
78.92 | % | ||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
77.42 | % | ||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
94.53 | % | ||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund- Class K |
||||
MAC & CO Attn Mutual Fund OPs PO Box 3198 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198 |
29.64 | % | ||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund- Class A |
||||
Pershing LLC PO Box 2052 Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052 |
73.55 | % | ||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
26.45 | % | ||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund- Class I |
||||
Asbestos Workers Local 6 Health & Welfare 303 Freeport Street Boston, MA 02122-3513 |
98.92 | % |
49
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund- Class K |
||||
Indian River Memorial Hospital Inc. 1000 36 th Street Vero Beach, FL 32960-6592 |
38.36 | % | ||
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund- Class I |
||||
Pershing LLC PO Box 2052 Jersey City, NJ 07303-2052 |
84.26 | % | ||
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
29.82 | % | ||
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund- Class K |
||||
Olathe Medical Center Inc. 20333 W 151 st Street Olathe, KS 66061-7211 |
40.23 | % | ||
State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Private Funds LLC Attn: Fund Services Team 1 Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2901 |
93.15 | % | ||
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund- Class I |
||||
CBRE Global Investor Inc. 515 S. Flower Street Floor 31 Los Angeles, CA 90071-2233 |
86.10 | % |
50
State Street Target Retirement Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
61.43 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement Fund- Class I |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
38.57 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
88.90 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
96.86 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
57.14 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund- Class I |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
42.86 | % |
51
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
39.17 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund- Class K |
||||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Corporation 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
43.60 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund- Class I |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
92.76 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
86.46 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund- Class I |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
98.16 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
79.71 | % |
52
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund- Class I |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
97.10 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
86.64 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund- Class I |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
67.44 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
32.56 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
74.35 | % |
53
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund- Class I |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
94.22 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
82.88 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund- Class I |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
60.76 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
39.24 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
65.78 | % |
54
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund- Class K |
||||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Corporation 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
26.81 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund- Class I |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
80.93 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
67.17 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
68.24 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
82.89 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
100 | % |
55
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
97.02 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund- Class K |
||||
National Financial Services Corporation For the Exclusive Benefits of our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 4 th Floor 499 Washington Blvd. Jersey City, NJ 07310-2010 |
59.14 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund- Class K |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
30.08 | % | ||
State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund- Class K |
||||
Goldman Sachs & Co. c/o Mutual Funds Ops. 222 S. Main Street Salt Lake City, UT 84101-2199 |
92.81 | % | ||
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund- Class A |
||||
SSGA Private Funds LLC Attn: Fund Services Team 1 Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2901 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Private Funds LLC Attn: Fund Services Team 1 Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2901 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund- Class K |
||||
The Spence School 22 E 91 st Street New York, NY 10128-0657 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund- Class K |
||||
Goldman Sachs & Co. c/o Mutual Funds Ops. 222 S. Main Street Salt Lake City, UT 84101-2199 |
89.68 | % |
56
State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Private Funds LLC Attn: Fund Services Team 1 Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2901 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Private Funds LLC Attn: Fund Services Team 1 Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2901 |
100 | % | ||
State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Private Funds LLC Attn: Fund Services Team 1 Lincoln Street Boston, MA 02111-2901 |
100 | % |
As of April 1, 2016, to the knowledge of the Trust, the following persons held of record or beneficially through one or more accounts 5% or more of the outstanding shares of any class of the Funds.
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund- Administrative Shares |
||||
Nationwide Trust Company FSB FBO Participating Retirement Plans NTC/PLNS C/O IPO Portfolio Accounting P.O. Box 182029 Columbus, OH 43218-2029 |
10.60 | % | ||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund- Service Shares |
||||
Nationwide Trust Company FSB FBO Participating Retirement Plans NTC/PLNS C/O IPO Portfolio Accounting P.O. Box 182029 Columbus, OH 43218-2029 |
14.88 | % | ||
Nationwide Life Insurance Company NACO C/O IPO Portfolio Accounting P.O. Box 182029 Columbus, OH 43218-2029 |
6.20 | % | ||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund- Class A |
||||
NFS LLC FEBO James Cahill/Chris Cahill 22 Van Riper Ave Rutherford, NJ 07070-2833 |
14.39 | % | ||
NFS LLC FMT CO CUST IRA Rollover FEBO Marty S. Young 188 Barn Rd Clearfield, PA 16830-7304 |
8.19 | % | ||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund- Class I |
||||
Pershing LLC PO Box 2052 Jersey City NJ 07303-2052 |
5.47 | % |
57
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund- Class K |
||||
MAC & CO Mutual Fund Operations 525 William Penn Place PO Box 3198 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198 |
19.70 | % | ||
MAC & CO Mutual Fund Operations PO Box 3198 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198 |
13.97 | % | ||
MAC & CO Mutual Fund Operations PO Box 3198 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198 |
12.70 | % | ||
MAC & CO Mutual Fund Operations PO Box 3198 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198 |
8.62 | % | ||
Wells Fargo Bank NA FBO BMI Pension Funds 22735202 PO Box 1533 Minneapolis, MN 55480-1533 |
5.89 | % | ||
MAC & CO Mutual Fund Operations PO Box 3198 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198 |
5.18 | % | ||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund- Class K |
||||
The Community Foundation of Louisville Inc. 325 W Main Street Waterfront Plaza Suite 1110 Louisville, KY 40202-4254 |
21.96 | % | ||
MAC & CO Mutual Fund Operations 525 William Penn Place PO BOX 3198 Pittsburgh, PA 15230-3198 |
20.57 | % | ||
US Bank NA FBO Douglas County Employees Retirement Trust PO Box 1787 Milwaukee, WI 53201-1787 |
15.24 | % | ||
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund- Class K |
||||
St. Marys College of California Inc. PO BOX 3554 Morgana, CA 94575 |
21.76 | % |
58
Miami County Medical Center Inc. 20333 W 151st Street Olathe, KS 66061-5350 |
7.48 | % | ||
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
15.74 | % | ||
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund- Class A |
||||
Pershing LLC 1 Pershing Plaza Jersey City NJ 07399-0001 |
6.85 | % | ||
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Private Funds LLC Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2901 |
13.90 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement Fund- Class K |
||||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Corporation 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
9.66 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund- Class K |
||||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Energy Services 401K PSP 25947000 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
10.14 | % | ||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
6.57 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund- Class I |
||||
Reliance Trust Company FBO CapTrust Financial PO Box 48529 Atlanta, GA 30362-1529 |
5.64 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund- Class K |
||||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Corporation 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
7.17 | % |
59
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Energy Services 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
5.54 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund- Class K |
||||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Corporation 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
13.61 | % | ||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Energy Services 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
5.83 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund- Class K |
||||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Corporation 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
6.94 | % | ||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Energy Services 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
6.17 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund- Class K |
||||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Corporation 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
16.97 | % | ||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Energy Services 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
6.25 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund- Class I |
||||
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. Attn: Fund Services 1 Lincoln Street Floor 22 Boston, MA 02111-2905 |
5.78 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund- Class K |
||||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Corporation 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
10.60 | % | ||
Wells Fargo Bank FBO Aegion Energy Services 401K 1525 West WT Harris Blvd Charlotte, NC 28288-1076 |
5.61 | % |
60
61
Investment Advisory Agreement
SSGA FM is responsible for the investment management of the Funds pursuant to the Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 17, 2015, as amended from time to time (the Advisory Agreement), by and between the Adviser and the Trust. The Adviser and State Street are wholly-owned subsidiaries of State Street Corporation, a publicly held bank holding company.
For the services provided under the Advisory Agreement, each Fund pays the Adviser a fee at an annual rate set forth below of the Funds average daily net assets.
Fund |
Fee Rate | |||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund |
0.02 | % | ||
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund |
0.06 | % | ||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund |
0.03 | % | ||
State Street Strategic Real Return Fund |
0.20 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Target Retirement Fund |
0.05 | % | ||
State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
1.15 | % | ||
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund |
0.90 | % | ||
State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund |
0.85 | % | ||
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund |
0.03 | % | ||
State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund |
0.14 | % | ||
State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund |
0.14 | % | ||
State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund |
0.14 | % | ||
State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund |
0.65 | % | ||
State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund |
0.85 | % | ||
State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund |
0.75 | % |
Each Feeder Fund currently invests all of its assets in a related Portfolio, which has substantially similar investment strategies as the relevant Fund. The Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, Strategic Real Return Portfolio Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, and the Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio pay no investment advisory fees to SSGA FM.
For the Disciplined Global Equity Fund, the Adviser has agreed to waive its entire fee under its Investment Advisory Agreement with the Disciplined Global Equity Portfolio until the later of April 30, 2017 or such time as the shares of the Portfolio cease to be the only investment security held by the Disciplined Global Equity Fund. The waiver may be terminated only by the Portfolios Board of Trustees. In the absence of the waiver, the Portfolio would pay the Adviser an investment advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.25% of the Portfolios average daily net assets. The Adviser pays all operating expenses of the Portfolio other than management fees, distribution fees pursuant to the Portfolios Distribution and Service Plan, if any, brokerage, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including any Trustees counsel fees), litigation expenses, and other extraordinary expenses.
The Adviser has agreed to waive its entire fee under its Investment Advisory Agreement with the Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Portfolio until the later of April 30, 2017 or such time as the shares of the Portfolio cease to be the only investment security held by the Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund. The waiver may be terminated only by the
62
Portfolios Board of Trustees. In the absence of the waiver, the Portfolio would pay the Adviser an investment advisory fee at an annual rate of 0.30% of the Portfolios average daily net assets. The Adviser pays all operating expenses of the Portfolio other than management fees, distribution fees pursuant to the Portfolios Distribution and Service Plan, if any, brokerage, taxes, interest, fees and expenses of the Independent Trustees (including any Trustees counsel fees), litigation expenses, acquired fund fees and expenses and other extraordinary expenses.
For the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund and the International Developed Equity Index Fund, the amount each Fund pays under its Investment Advisory Agreement is reduced by the amount of the advisory fee it bears indirectly through its investment in the International Developed Equity Index Portfolio. For the services provided under its Investment Advisory Agreement, the Portfolio pays the Adviser a management fee at the annual rate of 0.11% of the Portfolios average daily net assets
For the Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund and Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund the Adviser performs certain oversight and supervisory functions with respect to CBRE Clarion as sub-adviser to the Funds, including: (i) conducts periodic analysis and review of the performance by CBRE Clarion of its obligations to the Funds and provides periodic reports to the Board regarding such performance; (ii) reviews any changes to CBRE Clarions ownership, management, or personnel responsible for performing its obligations to the Funds and makes appropriate reports to the Board; (iii) performs periodic due diligence meetings with representatives of CBRE Clarion; and (iv) assists the Board and management of the Trust, as applicable, concerning the initial approval, continued retention or replacement of CBRE Clarion as sub-adviser to the Fund. CBRE Clarions address is 201 King of Prussia Road, Suite 600, Radnor, Pennsylvania 19087.
The Adviser has entered into sub-advisory agreements with the Sub-Adviser pursuant to which the Sub-Adviser will be responsible for the day-to-day management of any assets of the Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund and Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund and the Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Portfolio. The Sub-Adviser receives fees from the Adviser for its services provided to the Fund. The Sub-Adviser has agreed to waive its entire fee under the Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement for the Portfolio. This waiver has no expiration date and may not be terminated unless authorized by the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Portfolio.
The Advisory Agreement will continue from year to year provided that a majority of the Trustees and a majority of the Independent Trustees or a majority of the shareholders of the Trust approve its continuance. The Advisory Agreement may be terminated by the Adviser or the Trust without penalty upon sixty days notice and will terminate automatically upon its assignment.
The Adviser and its affiliates may have deposit, loan and other commercial banking relationships with the issuers of obligations that may be purchased on behalf of the Funds, including outstanding loans to such issuers that could be repaid in whole or in part with the proceeds of securities so purchased. Such affiliates deal, trade and invest for their own accounts in such obligations and are among the leading dealers of various types of such obligations. The Adviser has informed the Funds that, in making its investment decisions, it will not obtain or use material non-public information in its possession or in the possession of any of its affiliates. In making investment recommendations for a Fund, the Adviser will not inquire or take into consideration whether an issuer of securities proposed for purchase or sale by the Fund is a customer of the Adviser, its parent or its subsidiaries or affiliates and, in dealing with its customers, the Adviser, its parent, subsidiaries and affiliates will not inquire or take into consideration whether securities of such customers were held by any fund managed by the Adviser or any such affiliate.
In certain instances there may be securities that are suitable for a Fund as well as for one or more of the Advisers other clients. Investment decisions for the Trust and for the Advisers other clients are made with a view to achieving their respective investment objectives. It may develop that a particular security is bought or sold for only one client even though it might be held by, or bought or sold for, other clients. Likewise, a particular security may be bought for one or more clients when one or more clients are selling that same security. Some simultaneous transactions are inevitable when several clients receive investment advice from the same investment adviser, particularly when the same security is suitable for the investment objectives of more than one client. When two or more clients are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the securities are allocated among clients in a manner believed to be equitable to each. It is recognized that in some cases this system could have a detrimental effect on the price or volume of the security as far as the Fund is concerned. However, it is believed that the ability of each Fund to participate in volume transactions will produce better executions for the Funds.
63
The advisory fees paid to SSGA FM for the last three fiscal years are as follows.
Fund |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2013 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2014 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2015 |
|||||||||
Equity 500 Index Fund |
$ | 152,819 | $ | 31,235 | $ | 86,528 | ||||||
Aggregate Bond Index Fund (1) |
| $ | 4,821 | $ | 15,237 | |||||||
Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund (2) |
| $ | 7,245 | $ | 27,364 | |||||||
Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund (3) |
| $ | 10,140 | $ | 44,893 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2015 Fund (4) |
| $ | 237 | $ | 1,949 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2020 Fund (4) |
| $ | 387 | $ | 23,094 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2025 Fund (4) |
| $ | 323 | $ | 7,947 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2030 Fund (4) |
| $ | 294 | $ | 19,292 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2035 Fund (4) |
| $ | 224 | $ | 5,136 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2040 Fund (4) |
| $ | 203 | $ | 13,575 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2045 Fund (4) |
| $ | 127 | $ | 2,783 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2050 Fund (4) |
| $ | 63 | $ | 1,996 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2055 Fund (4) |
| $ | 63 | $ | 1,194 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2060 Fund (4) |
| $ | 63 | $ | 304 | |||||||
Target Retirement Fund (4) |
| $ | 173 | $ | 9,818 | |||||||
Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund (5) |
| | $ | 133,913 | ||||||||
Hedged International Development Equity Index Fund (6) |
| | $ | 442,375 | ||||||||
Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund (7) |
| | $ | 479 | ||||||||
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (8) |
| | $ | 7,065 |
(1) | Commencement of Operations September 19, 2014. |
(2) | Commencement of Operations September 17, 2014. |
(3) | Commencement of Operations October 9, 2014. |
(4) | Commencement of Operations September 30, 2014. |
(5) | Commencement of Operations January 21, 2015. |
(6) | Commencement of Operations May 29, 2015. |
(7) | Commencement of Operations August 11, 2015. |
(8) | Commencement of Operations December 18, 2015. |
During the fiscal year ended December 31, 2013 and from January 1, 2014 through August 7, 2014, the Equity 500 Index Fund paid no investment advisory fee directly, but incurred indirectly its proportionate share of the investment advisory fee paid by the portfolio in which it invested.
The advisory fees paid by the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, the International Developed Equity Index Fund, the Disciplined Global Equity Fund, the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and the Disciplined International Equity Fund to SSGA FM for the last three fiscal years have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
The sub-advisory fees paid to CBRE Clarion for the last three fiscal years are as follows.
Fund |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2013 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2014 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2015 |
|||||||||
Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund (1) |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||
Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund (2) |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
(1) | Commencement of Operations October 9, 2014. |
(2) | Commencement of Operations January 20, 2015. |
64
Administrator
SSGA FM serves as the administrator for the Funds pursuant to an Amended and Restated Administration Agreement. Under the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, SSGA FM is obligated to continuously provide business management services to the Trust and the Funds and will generally, subject to the general oversight of the Trustees and except as otherwise provided in the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement, manage all of the business and affairs of the Trust. The nature and amount of services provided by SSGA FM under the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement may vary as between classes of shares of a Fund, and a Fund may pay fees to SSGA FM under that Agreement at different rates in respect of its different share classes.
As consideration for SSGA FMs services as administrator with respect to each Fund, SSGA FM receives a fee at the annual rate of 0.05% of the average daily net assets attributable to each class of shares of the Fund. The fees are accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month.
The administration fees paid to SSGA FM as the Administrator are set forth in the table below:
Fund |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2015 |
|||
Equity 500 Index Fund |
$ | 216,320 | ||
Aggregate Bond Index Fund |
$ | 25,394 | ||
Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund |
$ | 22,803 | ||
Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund (1) |
$ | 1,503 | ||
Target Retirement 2015 Fund (1) |
$ | 1,336 | ||
Target Retirement 2020 Fund (1) |
$ | 15,977 | ||
Target Retirement 2025 Fund (1) |
$ | 5,623 | ||
Target Retirement 2030 Fund (1) |
$ | 13,518 | ||
Target Retirement 2035 Fund (1) |
$ | 3,653 | ||
Target Retirement 2040 Fund (1) |
$ | 9,525 | ||
Target Retirement 2045 Fund (1) |
$ | 2,015 | ||
Target Retirement 2050 Fund (1) |
$ | 1,452 | ||
Target Retirement 2055 Fund (1) |
$ | 852 | ||
Target Retirement 2060 Fund (1) |
$ | 181 | ||
Target Retirement Fund (1) |
$ | 6,796 | ||
Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund (1), (2) |
$ | 4,517 | ||
Hedged International Development Equity Index Fund (3) |
$ | 157,991 | ||
Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund (4) |
$ | 799 | ||
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (5) |
$ | 2,523 |
(1) | Effective August 8, 2014, SSGA FM serves as the Administrator of the Fund. |
(2) | Commencement of Operations January 21, 2015. |
(3) | Commencement of Operations May 29, 2015. |
(4) | Commencement of Operations August 11, 2015. |
(5) | Commencement of Operations December 18, 2015. |
The administration fees paid by the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, the International Developed Equity Index Fund, the Disciplined Global Equity Fund, the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and the Disciplined International Equity Fund have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
Prior to February 10, 2015, State Street served as the administrator for each Fund in this SAI, except for Equity 500 Index Fund, Global Equity ex-U.S. Fund, Aggregate Bond Index Fund, Strategic Real Return Fund, Hedged International Development Equity Index Fund, International Development Equity Index Fund, Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, Disciplined International Equity Fund, Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund, pursuant to an Administration Agreement between the Trust and State Street.
65
The Adviser may retain State Street, an affiliate of the Adviser, to provide certain administrative services in connection with regulatory reporting for the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio and the Subsidiary on Form PQR to the Commodity Futures Trading Commission and the National Futures Association. The Strategic Real Return Fund, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio and the Subsidiary may bear the portion of the fees that the Adviser pays to State Street that is attributable to the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio and the Subsidiary, respectively.
Sub-Administrator, Custodian and Transfer Agent
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 the Funds. 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 State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.
State Street serves as custodian and fund accountant for the Funds pursuant to a Custody Agreement and holds the Funds assets.
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. serves as Transfer Agent to the Funds.
As consideration for State Streets services as custodian and fund accountant to the Funds, State Street shall receive from each Fund an annual fee as described below. Additionally, as consideration for State Streets services as sub-administrator, State Street shall receive from the Adviser an annual fee as described below. The fees received by State Street in connection with sub-administration and custodian and fund accounting services are accrued daily at the rate of 1/365th and payable monthly on the first business day of each month, pursuant to the following schedules:
Index Funds (except for the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund), Strategic Real Return Fund, Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund, and the Disciplined Global Equity Fund
$25,000 for Sub-Administration Services
$12,000 for Custody and Fund Accounting Services for the first two feeder funds
$ 9,600 for Custody and Fund Accounting Services for each additional feeder fund
Target Retirement Funds
$50,000 for Sub-Administration Services
$25,000 for Custody and Fund Accounting Services
Clarion Global Real Estate Fund, Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and Disciplined International Equity Fund
Total net assets of the Funds and other funds that are series of State Street Institutional Investment Trust and are not feeder funds or funds of funds (collectively, Stand-Alone Funds) will be used to calculate the fee by multiplying their combined net assets by the rate shown below. The minimum fee will be calculated by multiplying the minimum per fund fee by the number of Stand-Alone Funds to arrive at the total minimum fee. The greater of the asset based fee or the minimum fee will be charged to the Funds and the Stand-Alone Funds.
Custody Fees :
Average Net Assets |
Basis Points | |||
First $50 Billion |
0.25 | |||
Next $50 Billion |
0.20 | |||
Thereafter |
0.10 |
66
Sub-Administration Fees :
Average Net Assets |
Basis Points | |||
First $10 Billion |
1.36 | |||
Next $10 Billion |
0.86 | |||
Next $10 Billion |
0.75 | |||
Thereafter |
0.5 |
The administration, sub-administration and custodian and transfer agency fees (if applicable) paid to State Street for the last three fiscal years are set forth in the table below.
Fund |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2013 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2014 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2015 |
|||||||||
Equity 500 Index Fund (1) |
$ | 169,918 | $ | 115,296 | $ | 37,592 | ||||||
Aggregate Bond Index Fund (2) |
| $ | 0 | $ | 44,746 | |||||||
Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund (3) |
| $ | 0 | $ | 44,689 | |||||||
Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund (4) |
| $ | 0 | $ | 47,656 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2015 Fund (5) |
| $ | 19,141 | $ | 84,042 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2020 Fund (5) |
| $ | 19,291 | $ | 84,574 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2025 Fund (5) |
| $ | 19,227 | $ | 84,582 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2030 Fund (5) |
| $ | 19,198 | $ | 84,553 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2035 Fund (5) |
| $ | 19,128 | $ | 84,610 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2040 Fund (5) |
| $ | 19,107 | $ | 84,475 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2045 Fund (5) |
| $ | 19,031 | $ | 84,041 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2050 Fund (5) |
| $ | 18,967 | $ | 84,003 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2055 Fund (5) |
| $ | 18,967 | $ | 83,988 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2060 Fund (5) |
| $ | 18,967 | $ | 83,792 | |||||||
Target Retirement Fund (5) |
| $ | 19,077 | $ | 84,518 | |||||||
Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund (6) |
| | $ | 41,929 | ||||||||
Hedged International Development Equity Index Fund (7) |
| | $ | 478,858 | ||||||||
Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund (8) |
| | $ | 16,933 | ||||||||
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (9) |
| | $ | 6,119 |
(1) | State Street served as the Administrator of the Equity 500 Index Fund, until August 7, 2014. Effective August 8, 2014, State Street serves as the Sub-Administrator of the Fund. |
(2) | Commencement of Operations September 19, 2014. |
(3) | Commencement of Operations September 17, 2014. |
(4) | Commencement of Operations October 9, 2014. |
(5) | Commencement of Operations September 30, 2014. |
(6) | Commencement of Operations January 21, 2015. |
(7) | Commencement of Operations May 29, 2015. |
(8) | Commencement of Operations August 11, 2015. |
(9) | Commencement of Operations December 18, 2015. |
The sub-administration and custodian fees paid by the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, the International Developed Equity Index Fund, the Disciplined Global Equity Fund, the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and the Disciplined International Equity Fund have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. (BFDS) serves as the Transfer and Dividend Paying Agent. BFDS is a joint venture of State Street Corporation and DST Systems, Inc. BFDS is paid for the following annual account services and activities including but limited to: establishment and maintenance of each shareholders account; closing an account; acceptance and processing of trade orders; preparation; and transmission of payments for dividends and distributions declared by each Fund; customer service support including receipt of correspondence and responding to shareholder and financial intermediary inquiries; investigation services; individual retirement account (IRA) custodial services; tax related support; sales charge and 12b-1 payment processing; and charges related to compliance and regulatory services.
67
Portfolio fees are allocated to each Fund based on the average net asset value of each Fund and are billable on a monthly basis at the rate of 1/12 of the annual fee. BFDS is reimbursed by each Fund for supplying certain out-of-pocket expenses including confirmation statements, investor statements, banking fees, postage, forms, audio response, telephone, records retention, customized programming/enhancements, reports, transcripts, microfilm, microfiche, and expenses incurred at the specific direction of the Fund. BFDSs principal business address is 2000 Crown Colony Drive, Quincy, MA 02169.
The transfer agency fees paid to BFDS for the last three fiscal years are set forth in the table below.
Fund |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2013 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2014 |
Fiscal year
ended December 31, 2015 |
|||||||||
Equity 500 Index Fund (1) |
| $ | 46,470 | $ | 149,206 | |||||||
Aggregate Bond Index Fund (2) |
| $ | 28,027 | $ | 53,176 | |||||||
Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund (3) |
| $ | 25,381 | $ | 55,764 | |||||||
Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund (4) |
| $ | 5,002 | $ | 20,505 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2015 Fund (5) |
| $ | 26,714 | $ | 42,982 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2020 Fund (5) |
| $ | 26,714 | $ | 44,593 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2025 Fund (5) |
| $ | 20,987 | $ | 37,148 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2030 Fund (5) |
| $ | 18,265 | $ | 35,204 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2035 Fund (5) |
| $ | 18,077 | $ | 32,486 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2040 Fund (5) |
| $ | 18,076 | $ | 36,008 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2045 Fund (5) |
| $ | 17,889 | $ | 32,370 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2050 Fund (5) |
| $ | 17,703 | $ | 32,553 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2055 Fund (5) |
| $ | 17,703 | $ | 32,547 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2060 Fund (5) |
| $ | 17,703 | $ | 32,430 | |||||||
Target Retirement Fund (5) |
| $ | 20,537 | $ | 48,118 | |||||||
Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund (6) |
| | $ | 19,187 | ||||||||
Hedged International Development Equity Index Fund (7) |
| | $ | 7,182 | ||||||||
Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund (8) |
| | $ | 8,055 | ||||||||
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (9) |
| | $ | 964 |
(1) | Effective August 8, 2014, BFDS serves as the Transfer Agent of the Fund. |
(2) | Commencement of Operations September 19, 2014. |
(3) | Commencement of Operations September 17, 2014. |
(4) | Commencement of Operations October 9, 2014. |
(5) | Commencement of Operations September 30, 2014. |
(6) | Commencement of Operations January 21, 2015. |
(7) | Commencement of Operations May 29, 2015. |
(8) | Commencement of Operations August 11, 2015. |
(9) | Commencement of Operations December 18, 2015. |
The transfer agency fees paid by the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, the International Developed Equity Index Fund, the Disciplined Global Equity Fund, the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and the Disciplined International Equity Fund have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
Distributor
State Street Global Markets, LLC (the SSGM or the Distributor) serves as the distributor of Funds. SSGM is a wholly owned subsidiary of State Street Corporation. SSGMs mailing address is State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111-2900.
68
The distribution expenses each Fund accrued to SSGM for the last three fiscal years are set forth in the table below.
Fund |
Fiscal Year
Ended December 31, 2013 |
Fiscal Year
Ended December 31, 2014 |
Fiscal Year
Ended December 31, 2015 |
|||||||||
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund |
||||||||||||
Administrative Shares |
$ | 307,944 | $ | 353,830 | $ | 379,884 | ||||||
Service Shares |
$ | 266,571 | $ | 286,261 | $ | 311,339 | ||||||
Class R Shares |
$ | 167,470 | $ | 217,989 | $ | 246,906 | ||||||
Class A |
| $ | 36 | $ | 149 | |||||||
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 370 | $ | 1,503 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 529 | $ | 2,089 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 423 | $ | 1,680 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 423 | $ | 1,678 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 317 | $ | 1,282 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
$ | 317 | ||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 317 | $ | 1,258 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 211 | $ | 845 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 106 | $ | 422 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 106 | $ | 422 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 106 | $ | 422 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Target Retirement Income Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 264 | $ | 1,053 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Global Equity ex U.S. Index Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 35 | $ | 116 | |||||||
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 34 | $ | 185 | |||||||
State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| $ | 1,491 | $ | 6,601 | |||||||
Class C |
| $ | 0 | $ | 0 | |||||||
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| | $ | 4,811 | ||||||||
Class C |
| | $ | 0 |
69
Fund |
Fiscal Year
Ended December 31, 2013 |
Fiscal Year
Ended December 31, 2014 |
Fiscal Year
Ended December 31, 2015 |
|||||||||
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| | $ | 53 | ||||||||
Class C |
| | $ | 0 | ||||||||
State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Class C |
| | $ | 0 | ||||||||
State Street Hedged International Development Equity Index Fund |
||||||||||||
Class A |
| | $ | 0 | ||||||||
Class C |
| | $ | 0 |
The distribution expenses each Fund accrued to SSGM by the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, the International Developed Equity Index Fund, the Disciplined Global Equity Fund, the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and the Disciplined International Equity Fund have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plans
To compensate State Street Global Markets, LLC (SSGM) for the services it provides and for the expenses it bears in connection with the distribution of shares of the Funds, SSGM will be entitled to receive any front-end sales load applicable to the sale of shares of the Fund. Each Fund may make payments from the assets attributable to certain classes of its shares to SSGM under a distribution plan adopted pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act (the Distribution Plan). The Distribution Plan is a compensation plan that provides for payments at annual rates (based on average daily net assets) described below. The principal business address of SSGM is One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111. SSGM is the Funds distributor.
The Board, including all of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust (the Independent Trustees) and who have no direct or indirect financial interest in the Distribution Plan or any related agreements, (the Qualified Distribution Plan Trustees) approved the Distribution Plan. The Distribution Plan will continue in effect with respect to a class of shares of a Fund only if such continuance is specifically approved at least annually by a vote of both a majority of the Board of Trustees of the Trust and a majority of the Qualified Distribution Plan Trustees. The Distribution Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount of a Funds permitted expenses thereunder without the approval of a majority of the outstanding shares of the affected share class and may not be materially amended in any case without a vote of the majority of both the Trustees and the Qualified Distribution Plan Trustees. The Distribution Plan calls for payments at an annual rate (based on average net assets) as follows:
Class |
Annual 12b-1 Fee | |||
Administrative Shares |
0.15 | % | ||
Service Shares |
0.25 | % | ||
Class R Shares |
0.60 | % | ||
Class A |
0.25 | % | ||
Class C |
1.00 | % | ||
Class I |
None | |||
Class K |
None |
The Distribution Plan may benefit the Funds by increasing sales of shares and reducing redemptions of shares, resulting potentially, for example, in economies of scale and more predictable flows of cash into and out of the Funds. Because Rule 12b-1 fees are paid out of a Funds assets, all shareholders share in that expense; however, because shareholders hold their shares through varying arrangements (for example, directly or through financial intermediaries), they may not share equally in the benefits of the Distribution Plan.
70
Payments to Financial Intermediaries
Financial intermediaries are firms that, for compensation, sell shares of mutual funds, including the Funds, and/or provide certain administrative and account maintenance services to mutual fund shareholders. Financial intermediaries may include, among others, brokers, financial planners or advisors, banks, and insurance companies. In some cases, a financial intermediary may hold its clients Fund shares in nominee or street name. Shareholder services provided by a financial intermediary may (though they will not necessarily) include, among other things: processing and mailing trade confirmations, periodic statements, prospectuses, annual reports, semi-annual reports, shareholder notices, and other SEC-required communications; capturing and processing tax data; issuing and mailing dividend checks to shareholders who have selected cash distributions; preparing record date shareholder lists for proxy solicitations; collecting and posting distributions to shareholder accounts; and establishing and maintaining systematic withdrawals and automated investment plans and shareholder account registrations. Some portion of SSGMs payments to financial intermediaries will be made out of amounts received by SSGM under the Funds Distribution Plans. In addition, the Funds may reimburse SSGM for payments SSGM makes to financial intermediaries that provide recordkeeping, shareholder servicing, sub-transfer agency, administrative and/or account maintenance services (collectively, servicing). The amount of the reimbursement for servicing compensation and the manner in which it is calculated are reviewed by the Trustees periodically. The compensation paid by SSGM to a financial intermediary may be paid continually over time, during the period when the intermediarys clients hold investments in the Funds. The compensation to financial intermediaries may include networking fees and account-based fees. The amount of continuing compensation paid by SSGM to different financial intermediaries varies. In the case of most financial intermediaries, compensation for servicing in excess of any amount covered by payments under a Distribution Plan is generally paid at an annual rate of 0.10% 0.20% of the aggregate average daily net asset value of Fund shares held by that financial intermediarys customers, although in some cases the compensation may be paid at higher annual rates (which may, but will not necessarily, reflect enhanced or additional services provided by the financial intermediary). SSGM and its affiliates (including SSGA FM), at their own expense and out of their own assets, may also provide compensation to financial intermediaries in connection with sales of the Funds shares or the servicing of shareholders or shareholder accounts by financial intermediaries. Such compensation may include, but is not limited to, ongoing payments, financial assistance to financial intermediaries in connection with conferences, sales, or training programs for their employees, seminars for the public, advertising or sales campaigns, or other financial intermediary-sponsored special events. In some instances, this compensation may be made available only to certain financial intermediaries whose representatives have sold or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares. Financial intermediaries may not use sales of the Funds shares to qualify for this compensation to the extent prohibited by the laws or rules of any state or any self-regulatory agency, such as the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA). The level of payments made to a financial intermediary in any given year will vary and, in the case of most financial intermediaries, will not exceed 0.20% of the value of assets attributable to the financial intermediary invested in shares of funds in the SSGA FM-fund complex. In certain cases, the payments described in the preceding sentence are subject to minimum payment levels.
If payments to financial intermediaries by the distributor or adviser for a particular mutual fund complex exceed payments by other mutual fund complexes, your financial advisor and the financial intermediary employing him or her may have an incentive to recommend that fund complex over others. Please speak with your financial advisor to learn more about the total amounts paid to your financial advisor and his or her firm by SSGM and its affiliates, and by sponsors of other mutual funds he or she may recommend to you. You should also consult disclosures made by your financial intermediary at the time of purchase.
Because the Funds pay distribution, service and other fees for the sale of their shares and for services provided to shareholders out of the Funds assets on an ongoing basis, over time those fees will increase the cost of an investment in a Fund.
A Fund may pay distribution fees, service fees and other amounts described above at a time when shares of the Fund are not being actively promoted to new investors generally, or when shares of that Fund are unavailable for purchase.
71
For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 the Funds have been informed by SSGM that the following expenditures were made using the amounts each Fund paid under its Distribution Plan:
Fund |
Advertising | Printing |
Compensation to
Dealers |
Compensation to
Sales Personnel |
Interest, Carrying or
Other Financing Charges |
Other* | ||||||||||||||||||
Equity 500 Index Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 90,916 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Aggregate Bond Index Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 10,833 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 9,537 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,131 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Target Retirement 2015 Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 13,649 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 115,096 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 46,750 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 92,431 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 29,616 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 64,054 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 13,909 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 9,605 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 6,130 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 2,243 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Target Retirement Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 47,484 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 3,376 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Hedged International Development Equity Index Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 43,568 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 230 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | ||||||||||||
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund |
$ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 | $ | 1,431 | $ | 0 | $ | 0 |
* | Includes such items as compensation for travel, conferences and seminars for staff, subscriptions, office charges and professional fees. |
Rule 12b-1 fees paid by the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, the International Developed Equity Index Fund, the Disciplined Global Equity Fund, the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and the Disciplined International Equity Fund have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
Set forth below is a list of those financial intermediaries to which SSGM (and its affiliates) expects, as of March 31, 2016, to pay compensation in the manner described in this Payments to Financial Intermediaries section.
|
NYLIFE Distributors LLC |
|
Nationwide Investment Services | |||
|
Calvert Shareholder Services Inc. |
|
American United Life Insurance | |||
|
Bank of New York Mellon |
|
Reliance Trust Co. | |||
|
TD Ameritrade |
|
First Clearing LLC | |||
|
LPL Financial |
|
Morgan Stanley Smith Barney LLC | |||
|
MSCS Financial Services, LLC |
|
National Financial Sec LLC | |||
|
Pershing LLC |
|
UBS Financial Services Inc. | |||
|
US Bank NA |
|
Wells Fargo Bank NA | |||
|
GWFS Equities Inc. |
|
Mid Atlantic Capital Corp. | |||
|
Vanguard Fiduciary Trust Co. |
Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
Ropes & Gray LLP serves as counsel to the Trust. The principal business address of Ropes & Gray LLP is 800 Boylston Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02199. Joseph P. Barri LLC, located at 259 Robbins Street, Milton, Massachusetts 02186, serves as independent counsel to the Independent Trustees.
Ernst & Young LLP serves as the independent registered public accounting firm for the Trust and provides (i) audit services and (ii) tax services. In connection with the audit of the 2015 financial statements, the Trust entered into an engagement agreement with Ernst & Young LLP that sets forth the terms of Ernst & Young LLPs audit engagement. The principal business address of Ernst & Young LLP is 200 Clarendon Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116.
72
The following persons serve as the portfolio managers of the Funds as of the date of this SAI. The following table lists the number and types of accounts managed by each individual and assets under management in those accounts as of December 31, 2015:
Portfolio Manager |
Portfolio |
Registered
Investment Company Accounts* |
Assets
Managed ($ billions) |
Other
Pooled Investment Vehicle Accounts* |
Assets
Managed ($billions) |
Other
Accounts |
Assets
Managed ($ billions) |
Total
Assets Managed ($ billions) |
||||||||||||||||||||||
John Tucker |
Equity 500 Index Fund, Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund and International Developed Equity Index Fund |
153 | 184.73 | 453 | 483.94 | 348 | 213.09 | 881.76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Karl Schneider |
Equity 500 Index Fund, Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund and Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund |
153 | 184.73 | 453 | 483.94 | 348 | 213.09 | 881.76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mike Feehily |
Equity 500 Index Fund, Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, Emerging Markets Equity index Fund, Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund and International Developed Equity Index Fund |
153 | 184.73 | 453 | 483.94 | 348 | 213.09 | 881.76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Thomas Coleman |
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund |
153 | 184.73 | 453 | 483.94 | 348 | 213.09 | 881.76 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Mahesh Jayakumar |
Aggregate Bond Index Fund |
33 | 53.04 | 117 | 55.32 | 135 | 45.67 | 154.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Joanna Mauro |
Aggregate Bond Index Fund |
33 | 53.04 | 117 | 55.32 | 135 | 45.67 | 154.03 | ||||||||||||||||||||||
Lisa Khatri |
Target Retirement Funds |
21 | 5.09 | 143 | 27.69 | 187 | * | 25.92 | * | 58.70 |
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Charles L. McGinn |
Target Retirement Funds |
21 | 5.09 | 143 | 27.69 | 187 | * | 25.92 | * | 58.70 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Robert Guiliano |
Strategic Real Return Fund |
21 | 5.09 | 143 | 27.69 | 187 | * | 25.92 | * | 58.70 | ||||||||||||||||||||
John Gulino |
Strategic Real Return Fund |
21 | 5.09 | 143 | 27.69 | 187 | * | 25.92 | * | 58.70 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chee Ooi |
Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and Disciplined International Equity Fund |
6 | 0.53 | 42 | 6.63 | 34 | ** | 11.11 | ** | 18.27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Anna Lester |
Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund |
6 | 0.53 | 42 | 6.63 | 34 | ** | 11.11 | ** | 18.27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Adel Daghmouri |
Disciplined International Equity Fund |
6 | 0.53 | 42 | 6.63 | 34 | ** | 11.11 | ** | 18.27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Chris Laine |
Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
6 | 0.53 | 42 | 6.63 | 34 | ** | 11.11 | ** | 18.27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jay Siegrist |
Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
6 | 0.53 | 42 | 6.63 | 34 | ** | 11.11 | ** | 18.27 | ||||||||||||||||||||
T. Ritson Ferguson |
Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund and Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund |
16 | 11.40 | 25 | 3.62 | 64 | *** | 5.74 | *** | 20.76 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Steven Burton |
Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund |
11 | 9.28 | 20 | 3.20 | 49 | *** | 4.58 | *** | 17.06 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Joseph Smith |
Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund |
14 | 11.35 | 22 | 3.17 | 63 | *** | 5.14 | *** | 19.66 | ||||||||||||||||||||
Jeremy Anagnos |
Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund |
2 | 0.05 | 3 | 0.22 | 0 | 0 | 0.27 |
* | Includes 13 accounts with performance based fees and assets of $1.44 billion |
** | Includes 8 accounts with performance based fees and assets of $4.37 billion |
*** | Includes 7 accounts with performance based fees and assets of $1.69 billion |
As indicated in the tables above, portfolio managers at the Adviser may manage numerous accounts for multiple clients. These accounts may include registered investment companies (which include exchange-traded funds), other types of pooled accounts (e.g., collective investment funds), and separate accounts ( i.e. , accounts managed on behalf of individuals or public or private institutions). Portfolio managers make investment decisions for each account based on the investment objectives and policies and other relevant investment considerations applicable to that portfolio. The portfolio managers do not beneficially own any shares of any Fund as of December 31, 2015.
When a portfolio manager has responsibility for managing more than one account, potential conflicts of interest may arise. Those conflicts may arise out of: (a) the portfolio managers execution of different investment strategies for various accounts; or (b) the allocation of resources or investment opportunities.
A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of the portfolio managers responsibility for multiple accounts with similar investment guidelines. Under these circumstances, a potential investment may be suitable for more than one of the portfolio managers accounts, but the quantity of the investment available for purchase is less than the aggregate amount the accounts would ideally devote to the opportunity. Similar conflicts may arise when multiple accounts seek to dispose of the same investment. The portfolio manager may also manage accounts whose objectives and policies differ from that of the
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respective 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 manager is responsible for accounts that have different advisory fees. The difference in fees could create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another, for example, in terms of access to investment opportunities. This conflict may be heightened if an account is subject to a performance-based fee. Another potential conflict may arise when the portfolio manager has an investment in one or more accounts that participates in transactions with other accounts. His or her investment(s) may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another. The Adviser has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to address these potential material conflicts. For instance, portfolio managers within the Adviser are normally responsible for all accounts within a certain investment discipline and do not, absent special circumstances, differentiate among the various accounts when allocating resources. Additionally, the Adviser and its advisory affiliates have processes and procedures for allocating investment opportunities among portfolios that are designed to be fair and equitable.
The compensation of SSGA FMs investment professionals is based on a number of factors, including external benchmarking data and market trends, State Street Corporation performance, SSGA performance, and individual performance. Each year State Street Corporations Global Human Resources department participates in compensation surveys in order to provide SSGA with critical, market-based compensation information that helps support individual pay decisions. Additionally, subject to State Street Corporation and SSGA business results, State Street Corporation allocates an incentive pool to SSGA to reward its employees. Because the size of the incentive pool is based on the firms overall profitability and performance against risk-related goals, each staff member is motivated to contribute both as an individual and as a team member.
The incentive pool is allocated to the various functions within SSGA. The discretionary determination of the allocation amounts to business units is influenced by market-based compensation data, as well as the overall performance of the group. Individual compensation decisions are made by the employees manager, in conjunction with the senior management of the employees business unit. These decisions are based on the performance of the employee and, as mentioned above, on the performance of the firm and business unit.
Clarion Global Real Estate Income and Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund
Compensation
Portfolio manager compensation includes a number of elements:
Base Salary Each portfolio manager receives a base salary. Base salaries have been established at a competitive market levels and are set forth in the portfolio managers employment agreement. An annual adjustment is made based on changes in the consumer price index. Base salaries are be reviewed periodically by the CBRE Clarion Compensation Committee and its Board of Directors, but adjustments are expected to be relatively infrequent.
Bonus Portfolio manager bonuses are drawn from an incentive compensation pool into which a significant percentage of firms pre-tax profits is set aside. Incentive compensation allocations are determined by the Compensation Committee based on a variety of factors, including the performance of particular investment strategies. To avoid the pitfalls of relying solely on a rigid performance format, however, incentive compensation decisions also take into account other important factors, such as the portfolio managers contribution to the team, firm, and overall investment process. Each of the portfolio managers is a member of the Committee. Incentive compensation allocations are reported to the Board of Directors, but the Boards approval is not required with one exception. Since Mr. Ferguson is the firms Chief Executive and also a Director, the remaining Directors are required to approve his incentive compensation award.
Deferred Compensation CBRE Clarion requires deferral of a percentage of incentive compensation exceeding a certain threshold in respect of a single fiscal year. The Compensation Committee may, in its discretion, require the deferral of additional amounts. Such deferred amounts are subject to the terms of a Deferred Bonus Plan adopted by the Board of Directors. The purpose of the Deferred Bonus Plan is to foster the retention of key employees, to focus plan participants on value creation and growth and to encourage continued cooperation among key employees in providing services to CBRE Clarions clients. The value of deferred bonus amounts is tied to the performance of CBRE Clarion investment funds chosen by the Compensation Committee; provided, that the Committee may elect to leave a portion of the assets uninvested. Deferred compensation vests incrementally, one-third after 2 years, 3 years and 4 years. The Deferred Bonus Plan provides for forfeiture upon voluntary termination of employment, termination for cause or conduct detrimental to the firm.
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Profit Participation Each of the portfolio managers is a principal and owns shares of the firm. The firm distributes its income to its owners each year, so each portfolio manager receives income distributions corresponding to his ownership share. Ownership is structured so that the firms principals receive an increasing share of the firms profit over time. In addition, a principal may forfeit a portion of his ownership if he resigns voluntarily.
Other Compensation Portfolio managers may also participate in benefit plans and programs available generally to all employees, such as CBRE Groups 401(k) plan.
Portfolio manager compensation is not based on the performance of any particular account, including the Fund, nor is compensation based on the level of Fund assets.
Potential Conflicts of Interest Specific to Sub-Adviser
A portfolio manager may be subject to potential conflicts of interest because the portfolio manager is responsible for other accounts in addition to the Fund. These other accounts may include, among others, other mutual funds, separately managed advisory accounts, commingled trust accounts, insurance separate accounts, wrap fee programs, and hedge funds. Potential conflicts may arise out of the implementation of differing investment strategies for a portfolio managers various accounts, the allocation of investment opportunities among those accounts or differences in the advisory fees paid by the portfolio managers accounts.
A potential conflict of interest may arise as a result of a 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.
A portfolio manager may also manage accounts whose objectives and policies differ from those 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, if an account were to 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 a portfolio manager is responsible for accounts that have different advisory fees the difference in the fees may create an incentive for the portfolio manager to favor one account over another, for example, in terms of access to particularly appealing investment opportunities. This conflict may be heightened where an account is subject to a performance-based fee.
CBRE Clarion recognizes the duty of loyalty it owes to its clients and has established and implemented certain policies and procedures designed to control and mitigate conflicts of interest arising from the execution of a variety of portfolio management and trading strategies across the firms diverse client base. Such policies and procedures include, but are not limited to: (i) investment process, portfolio management, and trade allocation procedures; (ii) procedures regarding short sales in securities recommended for other clients; and (iii) procedures regarding personal trading by the firms employees (contained in the Code of Ethics).
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BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
Feeder Funds
Each Feeder Fund and the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund invests all of its investable assets in a corresponding Portfolio and therefore does not directly incur transactional costs for purchases and sales of portfolio investments (except in the case of Hedged International Developed Equity Index Funds currency hedging positions). The Funds generally purchase and redeem shares of the corresponding Portfolio each day depending on the number of shares of such Fund purchased or redeemed by investors on that day. Shares of the Portfolios are available for purchase by the Funds at their NAV without any sales charges, transaction fees, or brokerage commissions being charged.
All portfolio transactions are placed on behalf of the Portfolios by the Adviser and/or any investment sub-adviser to a Fund, as applicable. Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. Ordinarily commissions are not charged on over the counter orders (including, for example, debt securities and money market investments) because a Portfolio pays a spread which is included in the cost of the security, and is the difference between the dealers cost and the cost to the Portfolio. When a Portfolio executes an over the counter order with an electronic communications network, an alternative trading system or a non-market maker, a commission is charged because there is no spread on the trade. Securities may be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees. The Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio normally does not pay a stated brokerage commission on transactions.
Each Portfolios investment advisory agreement authorizes the Adviser, and the sub-advisory agreement authorizes the Sub-Adviser, to place, in the name of a Portfolio, orders for the execution of the securities transactions in which the Portfolio is authorized to invest, provided the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser seeks the best overall terms for the transaction. In selecting brokers or dealers (including affiliates of the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser), the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser chooses the broker-dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable execution (the most favorable cost or net proceeds reasonably obtainable under the circumstances). The full range of brokerage services applicable to a particular transaction may be considered when making this judgment, which may include, but is not limited to: liquidity, price, commission, timing, aggregated trades, capable floor brokers or traders, competent block trading coverage, ability to position, capital strength and stability, reliable and accurate communications and settlement processing, use of automation, knowledge of other buyers or sellers, arbitrage skills, administrative ability, brokerage and research services, underwriting, and provision of information on a particular security or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary depending on the nature of the transaction, the market in which it is executed, and the extent to which it is possible to select from among multiple broker-dealers. The Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser does not currently use any Portfolios assets for soft-dollar arrangements. The Adviser does not presently participate in any soft dollar arrangements. It may aggregate trades with clients of State Street Global Advisors whose commission dollars are used to generate soft dollar credits for State Street Global Advisors. Although the Advisers clients commissions are not used for soft dollars, the Adviser and State Street Global Advisors clients may benefit from the soft dollar products/services received by State Street Global Advisors. The Sub-Adviser may aggregate trades with other clients of the Sub-Adviser, whose commission dollars are used to generate soft dollar credits for the Sub-Adviser.
The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities.
Non-Feeder Funds
Purchases and sales of securities on a securities exchange are effected through brokers who charge a commission for their services. Ordinarily commissions are not charged on over the counter orders (including, for example, debt securities and money market investments) because the Fund pays a spread which is included in the cost of the security, and is the difference between the dealers cost and the cost to the Fund. When the Fund executes an over the counter order with an electronic communications network, an alternative trading system or a non-market maker, a commission is charged because there is no spread on the trade. Securities may be purchased from underwriters at prices that include underwriting fees.
The Funds investment advisory agreement authorizes the Adviser, and the Sub-Advisory Agreement authorizes the Sub-Adviser, to place, in the name of the Funds, orders for the execution of the securities transactions in which the Funds are authorized to invest, provided the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser seeks the best overall terms for the transaction. In selecting brokers or dealers (including affiliates of the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser), the Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser chooses the broker-dealer deemed most capable of providing the services necessary to obtain the most favorable execution (the most favorable cost or net proceeds reasonably obtainable under the circumstances). The full
77
range of brokerage services applicable to a particular transaction may be considered when making this judgment, which may include, but is not limited to: liquidity, price, commission, timing, aggregated trades, capable floor brokers or traders, competent block trading coverage, ability to position, capital strength and stability, reliable and accurate communications and settlement processing, use of automation, knowledge of other buyers or sellers, arbitrage skills, administrative ability, brokerage and research services, underwriting, and provision of information on a particular security or market in which the transaction is to occur. The specific criteria will vary depending on the nature of the transaction, the market in which it is executed, and the extent to which it is possible to select from among multiple broker-dealers. The Adviser, and as applicable, the Sub-Adviser does not currently use any Funds assets for soft-dollar arrangements. The Adviser does not presently participate in any soft dollar arrangements. It may aggregate trades with clients of State Street Global Advisors whose commission dollars are used to generate soft dollar credits for State Street Global Advisors. Although the Advisers clients commissions are not used for soft dollars, the Adviser and State Street Global Advisors clients may benefit from the soft dollar products/services received by State Street Global Advisors. The Sub-Adviser may aggregate trades with other clients of the Sub-Adviser, whose commission dollars are used to generate soft dollar credits for the Sub-Adviser.
The Adviser assumes general supervision over placing orders on behalf of the Trust for the purchase or sale of portfolio securities.
The brokerage commissions paid by the Funds for the last three fiscal years are shown below:
Fund |
Fiscal year ended
December 31, 2013 |
Fiscal year ended
December 31, 2014 |
Fiscal year ended
December 31, 2015 |
|||||||||
Equity 500 Index Fund |
| | | |||||||||
Aggregate Bond Index Fund (1) |
| | | |||||||||
Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund (2) |
| | | |||||||||
Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund (3) |
| $ | 2,319.52 | $ | 5,797.46 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2015 Fund (4) |
| $ | 798.88 | $ | 808.37 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2020 Fund (4) |
| $ | 596.70 | $ | 6,130.87 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2025 Fund (4) |
| $ | 403.91 | $ | 1,546.13 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2030 Fund (4) |
| $ | 225.31 | $ | 3,109.17 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2035 Fund (4) |
| $ | 182.12 | $ | 680.31 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2040 Fund (4) |
| $ | 118.83 | $ | 2,377.38 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2045 Fund (4) |
| $ | 51.06 | $ | 458.92 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2050 Fund (4) |
| $ | 27.77 | $ | 352.43 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2055 Fund (4) |
| $ | 27.77 | $ | 201.17 | |||||||
Target Retirement 2060 Fund (4) |
| $ | 27.77 | $ | 48.49 | |||||||
Target Retirement Fund (4) |
| $ | 667.41 | $ | 7,346.94 | |||||||
Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund (5) |
| | $ | 5,797.46 | ||||||||
Hedged International Development Equity Index Fund (6) |
| | $ | 277,289.37 | ||||||||
Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund (7) |
| | | |||||||||
Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund (8) |
| | $ | 55,794.59 |
(1) | Commencement of Operations September 19, 2014. |
(2) | Commencement of Operations September 17, 2014. |
(3) | Commencement of Operations October 9, 2014. |
(4) | Commencement of Operations September 30, 2014. |
(5) | Commencement of Operations January 21, 2015. |
(6) | Commencement of Operations May 29, 2015. |
(7) | Commencement of Operations August 11, 2015. |
(8) | Commencement of Operations December 18, 2015. |
The brokerage commission fees paid by the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, the Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, the Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, the International Developed Equity Index Fund, the Disciplined Global Equity Fund, the Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and the Disciplined International Equity Fund have been omitted because the Funds had not commenced investment operations as of December 31, 2015.
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DECLARATION OF TRUST, CAPITAL STOCK AND OTHER INFORMATION
Capitalization
Under the Declaration of Trust, the Trustees are authorized to issue an unlimited number of shares of each Fund. Upon liquidation or dissolution of a Fund, investors are entitled to share pro rata in the Funds net assets available for distribution to its investors. Investments in a Fund have no preference, preemptive, conversion or similar rights, except as determined by the Trustees or as set forth in the Bylaws, and are fully paid and non-assessable, except as set forth below.
Declaration of Trust
The Declaration of Trust of the Trust provides that the Trust may redeem shares of a Fund at the redemption price that would apply if the share redemption were initiated by a shareholder. It is the policy of the Trust that, except upon such conditions as may from time to time be set forth in the then current prospectus of the Trust or to facilitate the Trusts or a Funds compliance with applicable law or regulation, the Trust would not initiate a redemption of shares unless it were to determine that failing to do so may have a substantial adverse consequence for a Fund or the Trust.
The Trusts Declaration of Trust provides that a Trustee who is not an interested person (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust will be deemed independent and disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding. It is the policy of the Trust that it will not assert that provision to preclude a shareholder from claiming that a trustee is not independent or disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding; provided, however, that the foregoing policy will not prevent the Trust from asserting applicable law (including Section 2B of Chapter 182 of the Massachusetts General Laws) to preclude a shareholder from claiming that a trustee is not independent or disinterested with respect to any demand made in connection with a derivative action or proceeding.
The Trust will not deviate from the foregoing policies in a manner that adversely affects the rights of shareholders of a Fund without the approval of a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of such Fund.
Voting
Each investor is entitled to a vote in proportion to the number of Fund shares it owns. Shares do not have cumulative voting rights in the election of Trustees, and investors holding more than 50% of the aggregate outstanding shares in the Trust may elect all of the Trustees if they choose to do so. The Trust is not required and has no current intention to hold annual meetings of investors but the Trust will hold special meetings of shareholders when in the judgment of the Trustees it is necessary or desirable to submit matters for a shareholder vote.
Massachusetts Business Trust
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders in a Massachusetts business trust could, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable for the obligations of the trust. However, the Declaration of Trust disclaims shareholder liability for acts or obligations of the Trust and provides for indemnification out of the property of the applicable series of the Trust for any loss to which the shareholder may become subject by reason of being or having been a shareholder of that series and for reimbursement of the shareholder for all expense arising from such liability. Thus the risk of a shareholder incurring financial loss on account of shareholder liability should be limited to circumstances in which the series would be unable to meet its obligations.
Multiple-class funds do not have a single share price. Rather, each class has a share price, called its net asset value (NAV). The price per share for each class of each Fund is determined each business day (unless otherwise noted) at the close of the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) (ordinarily 4:00 p.m. Eastern time).
Pricing of shares of the Funds does not occur on New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) holidays. The NYSE is open for trading every weekday except for: (a) the following holidays: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr.s Birthday, Washingtons Birthday (the third Monday in February), Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas; and (b) the preceding Friday or the subsequent Monday when one of the calendar-determined holidays falls on a Saturday or Sunday, respectively. Purchases and withdrawals will be effected at the time of determination of NAV next following the receipt of any purchase or withdrawal order which is determined to be in good order.
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The Funds securities will be valued pursuant to guidelines established by the Board of Trustees.
The following discussion of U.S. federal income tax consequences of an investment in the Funds is based on the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), U.S. Treasury regulations, and other applicable authority, as of the date of this SAI. These authorities are subject to change by legislative or administrative action, possibly with retroactive effect. The following discussion is only a summary of some of the important U.S. federal income tax considerations generally applicable to investments in the Funds. There may be other tax considerations applicable to particular shareholders. Shareholders should consult their own tax advisors regarding their particular situation and the possible application of foreign, state and local tax laws.
The Index Funds, the Strategic Real Return Fund and the Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund invest substantially all of their assets in the corresponding Portfolio, and the Target Funds invest in the Underlying Funds, and so substantially all of these Funds income will result from distributions or deemed distributions from the corresponding Portfolio or Underlying Funds. Therefore, as applicable, references to the U.S. federal income tax treatment of these Funds, including to the assets owned and the income earned by these Funds, will be to or will include such treatment of the corresponding Portfolio, and, as applicable, the assets owned and the income earned by the corresponding Portfolio or Underlying Funds.
Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans or tax-advantaged arrangements. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the suitability of shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans and arrangements and the precise effect of an investment on their particular tax situations.
Qualification as a Regulated Investment Company
Each Fund has elected or intends to elect to be treated as a regulated investment company (RIC) under Subchapter M of the Code and intends each year to qualify and be eligible to be treated as such. In order to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded RICs and their shareholders, each Fund must, among other things, (a) derive at least 90% of its gross income for each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale of securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including but not limited to gains from options, futures or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities or currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below); (b) diversify its holdings so that, at the end of each quarter of the Funds taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Funds total assets consists of cash and cash items, U.S. Government securities, securities of other RICs, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer to a value not greater than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets and no more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) no more than 25% of its assets are invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, (x) in the securities (other than those of the U.S. Government or other RICs) of any one issuer or of two or more issuers which the Fund controls and which are engaged in the same, similar or related trades and businesses, or (y) in the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below); and (c) distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paid generally taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt income, for such year.
In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as qualifying income only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be qualifying income if realized directly by the RIC.
However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership (a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the qualifying income described in section (a)(i) of the preceding paragraph), will be treated as qualifying income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for federal income tax purposes, because they meet the passive income requirement under Code section 7704(c)(2). Further, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to RICs, such rules do apply to a RIC with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership.
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For purposes of the diversification test in (b) above, the term outstanding voting securities of such issuer will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also, for purposes of the diversification test in (b) above, the identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular investment can depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect a Funds ability to meet the diversification test in (b) above.
If a Fund qualifies as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment, the Fund will not be subject to federal income tax on income or gains distributed in a timely manner to its shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below). If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution test described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest or disposing of certain assets. If such Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any year, or if such Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify as a RIC accorded special tax treatment in any taxable year, the Fund would be subject to tax at the Fund level on its taxable income at corporate rates, and all distributions from earnings and profits, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income and net capital gains (each as defined below), would be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Some portions of such distributions may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction in the case of corporate shareholders and may be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income in the case of shareholders taxed as individuals, provided, in both cases, the shareholder meets certain holding period and other requirements in respect of a Funds shares (as described below). In addition, a Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before re-qualifying as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment.
The Index Funds, the Strategic Real Return Fund and the Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund seek to achieve their investment objectives by investing substantially all of their investable assets in the corresponding Portfolios, which themselves intend each year to elect to be treated and to qualify and be eligible to be treated as RICs. Whether these Funds meet the asset diversification test described above will depend on whether the corresponding Portfolio meets such test. If a Portfolio were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution test and were ineligible to or otherwise were not to cure such failure, the corresponding Fund would as a result itself fail to meet the asset diversification test and may be ineligible or unable to or may otherwise not cure such failure.
Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and its net tax-exempt income (if any), and may distribute its net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to any loss carryforwards). Any taxable income retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at the Fund level at regular corporate rates. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to tax at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but is permitted to designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gain in a timely notice to its shareholders who (a) will be required to include in income for federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (b) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds on a properly-filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If a Fund makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders gross income under clause (a) of the preceding sentence and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (b) of the preceding sentence. The Funds are not required to, and there can be no assurance a Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.
In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below), its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a RIC generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any net capital loss attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31 or, if there is no such loss, the net long-term capital loss or net short-term capital loss attributable to any such portion of the taxable year) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, the sum of its (i) net ordinary loss, if any, from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31, and its (ii) other net ordinary loss, if any, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.
If a Fund were to fail to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal, in general, to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending October 31 of such year (or a later date if the Fund is eligible to elect and so elects), plus any such amounts retained from the prior year, the Fund would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a
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RICs ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31 of a calendar year (or a later date, if the RIC makes the election referred to above) generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year. Also, for these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. Each Fund intends generally to make distributions sufficient to avoid imposition of the excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so. Distributions declared by a Fund during October, November and December to shareholders of record on a date in any such month and paid by the Fund during the following January will be treated for federal tax purposes as paid by the Fund and received by shareholders on December 31 of the year in which declared.
Capital losses in excess of capital gains (net capital losses) are not permitted to be deducted against a Funds net investment income. Instead, a Fund may carry net capital losses from any taxable year forward to subsequent taxable years to offset capital gains, if any, realized during subsequent taxable years. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether the Fund retains or distributes the gains so offset. A Fund may carry net capital losses forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. The Fund must apply such carryforwards first against gains of the same character. A Funds ability to use net capital losses to offset gains may be limited as a result of certain (a) acquisitive reorganizations and (b) shifts in the ownership of the Fund by a shareholder owning or treated as owning 5% or more of the stock of the Fund. See a Funds annual shareholder report for the Funds available capital loss carryovers as of the end of its most recently ended fiscal year.
Taxation of Distributions Received by Shareholders
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long the Fund owned (or is deemed to have owned) the investments that generated them, rather than how long a shareholder has owned his or her Fund shares. In general, a Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of assets the Fund has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on the disposition of investments the Fund has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net-capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss) that are properly reported by a Fund as capital gain dividends (Capital Gain Dividends) generally will be taxable to a shareholder receiving such distributions as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates relative to ordinary income. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryovers. The Aggregate Bond Index Fund generally does not expect a significant portion of its distributions to be Capital Gain Dividends. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Distributions of investment income properly reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be taxed in the hands of individuals at the rates applicable to net capital gain, provided holding period and other requirements are met at both the shareholder and Fund level. The Aggregate Bond Index Fund does not expect its distributions to be derived from qualified dividend income.
The Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals, trusts and estates to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by a Fund of net investment income and capital gains, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption, exchange or other taxable disposition of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund.
If a Fund makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of such shareholders tax basis in its shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholders tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.
Shareholders of a Fund will be subject to federal income taxes as described herein on distributions made by the Fund whether received in cash or reinvested in additional shares of the Fund.
Distributions with respect to a Funds shares are generally subject to U.S. federal income tax as described herein to the extent they do not exceed the Funds realized income and gains, even though such distributions may economically represent a return of a particular shareholders investment. Such distributions are likely to occur in respect of shares purchased at a time when a Funds net asset value includes either unrealized gains, or realized but undistributed income or gains, that were therefore included in the price the shareholder paid. Such distributions may reduce the fair market value of the Funds shares below the shareholders cost basis in those shares. As described above, a Fund is required to distribute realized income and gains regardless of whether the Funds net asset value also reflects unrealized losses.
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In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the dividend-paying stocks held by the Fund and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Funds shares. In general, a dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (a) if the dividend is received with respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (b) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (c) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (d) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (i) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (ii) treated as a passive foreign investment company.
In general, distributions of investment income properly reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income in the hands of a shareholder taxed as an individual, provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Funds shares. If the aggregate qualified dividends received by a Fund during any taxable year are 95% or more of the Funds gross income (excluding net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss), then 100% of the Funds dividends (other than dividends properly reported as Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.
In general, dividends of net investment income received by corporate shareholders of a Fund will qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction generally available to corporations to the extent of the amount of eligible dividends received by a Fund from domestic corporations for the taxable year. A dividend will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (a) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (b) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (x) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (y) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)). The Aggregate Bond Index Fund does not expect Fund distributions to be eligible for the dividends-received deduction.
Any distribution of income that is attributable to (i) income received by a Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (ii) dividend income received by a Fund on securities it temporarily purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders.
If a Fund makes a distribution to a shareholder in excess of the Funds current and accumulated earnings and profits in any taxable year, the excess distribution will be treated as a return of capital to the extent of such shareholders tax basis in its shares, and thereafter as capital gain. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholders tax basis in its shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on a subsequent taxable disposition by the shareholder of its shares.
If a Fund holds, directly or indirectly, one or more tax credit bonds on one or more applicable dates during a taxable year, the Fund may elect to permit its shareholders to claim a tax credit on their income tax returns equal to each shareholders proportionate share of tax credits from the bond otherwise allowed to the Fund. In such a case, shareholders must include in gross income (as interest) their proportionate share of the income attributable to the tax credits. A shareholders ability to claim a tax credit associated with one or more tax credit bonds may be subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, and the amount of the tax credits may not exceed the amount reported by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders. Even if a Fund is eligible to pass through tax credits to shareholders, the Fund may choose not to do so.
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As required by federal law, detailed federal tax information with respect to each calendar year will be furnished to each shareholder early in the succeeding year.
Tax Implications of Certain Fund Investments
Investment in Portfolios and Underlying Funds . Because the Index Funds, the Strategic Real Return Fund and the Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund will invest substantially all of their assets in shares of a corresponding Portfolio, and the Target Funds will invest in shares of the Underlying Funds, their distributable income and gains will normally consist substantially of distributions from the corresponding Portfolio or the Underlying Funds. To the extent that a Portfolio or Underlying Fund realizes net losses on its investments for a given taxable year, the corresponding Fund will not be able to benefit from those losses until and only to the extent that (i) the Portfolio or Underlying Fund realizes gains that it can reduce by those losses, or (ii) the Fund recognizes its share of those losses when it disposes of shares of the Portfolio or Underlying Fund in a transaction qualifying for sale or exchange treatment. Moreover, even when a Fund does make such a disposition, any loss will be recognized as a capital loss, a portion of which may be a long-term capital loss. A Fund will not be able to offset any capital losses from its dispositions of shares of the corresponding Portfolio or Underlying Funds against its ordinary income (including distributions of any net short-term capital gains realized by a Portfolio or Underlying Fund), and the Funds long-term capital losses first offset its capital gains, increasing the likelihood that the Funds short-term capital gains are distributed to shareholders as ordinary income.
In addition, in certain circumstances, the wash sale rules under Section 1091 of the Code may apply to these Funds sales of the corresponding Portfolio or Underlying Fund shares that have generated losses. A wash sale occurs if shares of an issuer are sold by a Fund at a loss and the Fund acquires additional shares of that same issuer 30 days before or after the date of the sale. The wash-sale rules could defer losses in these Funds hands on corresponding Portfolio or Underlying Fund shares (to the extent such sales are wash sales) for extended (and, in certain cases, potentially indefinite) periods of time.
The foregoing rules may cause the tax treatments of these Funds gains, losses and distributions to differ at times from the tax treatment that would apply if the Fund invested directly in the types of securities held by the corresponding Portfolio or the Underlying Funds. As a result, investors may receive taxable distributions earlier and recognize higher amounts of capital gain or ordinary income than they otherwise would.
Finally, a RIC generally must look through its 20 percent voting interest in a corporation, including a RIC, to the underlying assets thereof for purposes of the diversification test; special rules potentially provide limited relief from the application of this rule where a RIC owns such an interest in an underlying RIC (as defined below), such as the Portfolio.
Investments in Other RICs . If a Fund receives dividends from the Portfolio or an Underlying Fund or the Portfolio or the Underlying Fund receives dividends from another underlying RIC (each, an underlying RIC), and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund, the Portfolio or the Underlying Fund is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of such dividends as qualified dividend income when it distributes such portion to its shareholders, provided holding period and other requirements are met.
If a Fund, a Portfolio or Underlying Fund receives dividends from an underlying RIC, and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Fund, the Portfolio or the Underlying Fund is permitted, in turn, to report a portion of such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction as well when it distributes such portion to its shareholders, provided holding period and other requirements are met.
If an underlying RIC in which a Fund invests elects to pass through tax credit bond credits to its shareholders, then the Fund is permitted in turn to elect to pass through its proportionate share of those tax credits to its shareholders, provided that the Fund meets shareholder notice and other requirements.
Special Rules for Debt Obligations . Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) will be treated as debt obligations that are issued originally at a discount. Generally, original issue discount (OID) is treated as interest income and is included in a Funds income and required to be distributed by the Fund over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. In addition, payment-in-kind securities will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though the Fund holding the security receives no interest payment in cash on the security during the year.
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Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired in the secondary market by a Fund may be treated as having market discount. Very generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its revised issue price) over the purchase price of such obligation. Generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt security having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the accrued market discount on such debt security. Alternatively, a Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt security, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt security. The rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in a Funds income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects.
If a Fund holds the foregoing kinds of obligations, or other obligations subject to special rules under the Code, the Fund may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of the Fund or, if necessary, by disposition of portfolio securities including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so. These dispositions may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend than they would have if the Fund had not held such obligations.
Securities Purchased at a Premium . Very generally, where a Fund purchases a bond at a price that exceeds the redemption price at maturity that is, at a premium the premium is amortizable over the remaining term of the bond. In the case of a taxable bond, if a Fund makes an election applicable to all such bonds it purchases, which election is irrevocable without consent of the IRS, the Fund reduces the current taxable income from the bond by the amortized premium and reduces its tax basis in the bond by the amount of such offset; upon the disposition or maturity of such bonds acquired on or after January 4, 2013, the Fund is permitted to deduct any remaining premium allocable to a prior period.
A portion of the OID accrued on certain high yield discount obligations may not be deductible to the issuer and will instead be treated as a dividend paid by the issuer for purposes of the dividends-received deduction. In such cases, if the issuer of the high yield discount obligations is a domestic corporation, dividend payments by a Fund may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction to the extent attributable to the deemed dividend portion of such OID.
At-risk or Defaulted Securities . Investments in debt obligations that are at risk of or in default present special tax issues for the Funds. Tax rules are not entirely clear about issues such as when a Fund may cease to accrue interest, OID or market discount; whether, when or to what extent the Fund should recognize market discount on a debt obligation; when and to what extent a Fund may take deductions for bad debts or worthless securities; and how a Fund should allocate payments received on obligations in default between principal and income. These and other related issues will be addressed by a Fund when, as and if it invests in such securities, in order to seek to ensure that it distributes sufficient income to preserve its status as a RIC and does not become subject to U.S. federal income or excise tax.
Certain Investments in REITs . Any investment by a Fund in equity securities of real estate investment trusts qualifying as such under Subchapter M of the Code (REITs) may result in the Funds receipt of cash in excess of the REITs earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.
Certain Investments in Mortgage Pooling Vehicles . Certain Funds may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs) (including by investing in residual interests in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect) or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (TMPs). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Funds income (including income allocated to the Fund from certain pass-through entities) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a RIC, such as a Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the RIC in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, a RIC investing in such securities may not be a suitable investment for charitable remainder trusts, as noted below.
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In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and that otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a foreign shareholder will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.
Foreign Currency Transactions . Any transaction by a Fund in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations or certain foreign currency options, futures contracts or forward contracts (or similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Any such net gains could require a larger dividend toward the end of the calendar year. Any such net losses will generally reduce and potentially require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate a Funds distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies . Equity investments by a Fund in certain passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) could potentially subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax (including interest charges) on distributions received from the company or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the company. This tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to Fund shareholders. However, a Fund may elect to avoid the imposition of that tax. For example, a Fund may elect to treat a PFIC as a qualified electing fund ( i.e. , make a QEF election), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the PFIC s income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC. A Fund also may make an election to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in such holdings to the market as though it had sold (and, solely for purposes of this mark-to-market election, repurchased) its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Funds taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may accelerate the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increase the amount required to be distributed by the Fund to avoid taxation. Either of these elections therefore may require a Fund to liquidate other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Funds total return. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income.
Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, a Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances.
Options and Futures . In general, option premiums received by a Fund are not immediately included in the income of the Fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option ( e.g. , through a closing transaction). If a call option written by a Fund is exercised and the Fund sells or delivers the underlying stock, the Fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the Fund minus (b) the Funds basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund generally will subtract the premium received for purposes of computing its cost basis in the securities purchased. Gain or loss arising in respect of a termination of a Funds obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the Fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund (if any) in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
A Funds options activities may include transactions constituting straddles for U.S. federal income tax purposes, that is, that trigger the U.S. federal income tax straddle rules contained primarily in Section 1092 of the Code. Such straddles include, for example, positions in a particular security, or an index of securities, and one or more options that offset the former position, including options that are covered by a Funds long position in the subject security. Very generally, where applicable, Section 1092 requires (i) that losses be deferred on positions deemed to be offsetting positions with respect to substantially similar or related property, to the extent of unrealized gain in the latter, and (ii) that the holding period of such a straddle position that has not already been held for the long-term holding period be terminated and begin anew once the position is no
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longer part of a straddle. Options on single stocks that are not deep in the money may constitute qualified covered calls, which generally are not subject to the straddle rules; the holding period on stock underlying qualified covered calls that are in the money although not deep in the money will be suspended during the period that such calls are outstanding. Thus, the straddle rules and the rules governing qualified covered calls could cause gains that would otherwise constitute long-term capital gains to be treated as short-term capital gains, and distributions that would otherwise constitute qualified dividend income or qualify for the dividends-received deduction to fail to satisfy the holding period requirements and therefore to be taxed as ordinary income or fail to qualify for the 70% dividends-received deduction, as the case may be.
The tax treatment of certain positions entered into by a Fund, including regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency positions and certain listed non-equity options, will be governed by section 1256 of the Code (section 1256 contracts). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (60/40), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character. Also, section 1256 contracts held by a Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are marked to market with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable.
Derivatives, Hedging, and Related Transactions . In addition to the special rules described above in respect of futures and options transactions, a Funds transactions in other derivative instruments ( e.g. , forward contracts and swap agreements), as well as any of its hedging, short sale, securities loan or similar transactions, may be subject to one or more special tax rules ( e.g. , notional principal contract, straddle, constructive sale, wash sale and short sale rules). These rules may affect whether gains and losses recognized by a Fund are treated as ordinary or capital, accelerate the recognition of income or gains to the Fund, defer losses to the Fund, and cause adjustments in the holding periods of the Funds securities, thereby affecting whether capital gains and losses are treated as short-term or long-term. These rules could therefore affect the amount, timing and/or character of distributions to shareholders.
Because these and other tax rules applicable to these types of transactions are in some cases uncertain under current law, an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Fund has made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification as a RIC and avoid a Fund-level tax.
Commodity-Linked Instruments and Investments in the Strategic Real Return Portfolio . A Funds direct or indirect investments in commodities and commodity-linked instruments, including, in the case of the Strategic Real Return Fund, through the activities of the Subsidiary, as described below, can be limited by the Funds intention to qualify as a RIC, and can bear on a Funds ability to so qualify. Income and gains from commodities and certain commodity-linked instruments does not constitute qualifying income to a RIC for purposes of the 90% gross income test described above. The tax treatment of some other commodity-linked instruments in which a Fund might invest is not certain, in particular with respect to whether income or gains from such instruments constitute qualifying income to a RIC. If a Fund were to treat income or gain from a particular instrument as qualifying income and the income or gain were later determined not to constitute qualifying income and, together with any other nonqualifying income, caused the Funds nonqualifying income to exceed 10% of its gross income in any taxable year, the Fund would fail to qualify as a RIC unless it is eligible to and does pay a tax at the Fund level.
The Strategic Real Return Fund intends to gain exposure to commodities and commodity-related investments, in whole or in part, through the Strategic Real Return Portfolios investment in the Subsidiary. In the past, the IRS issued private letter rulings to RICs to the effect that income the RIC is deemed to earn from its wholly-owned subsidiary is qualifying income to the RIC for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement for qualification as a RIC, without regard to whether the deemed income is currently paid to the RIC in the form of a cash dividend (repatriated). Each of these rulings applies only to the taxpayer that requested it, and neither the Strategic Real Return Fund nor the Strategic Real Return Portfolio may use or cite them as precedent. The IRS has suspended the issuance of such rulings. In the absence of such a ruling (or guidance issued by the IRS to the same or similar effect), the Strategic Real Return Portfolio will seek other means of ensuring it satisfies the qualifying income requirement with respect to income from its investment in the Subsidiary, including but not limited to, ensuring that the Subsidiary timely repatriates its earnings and profits.
The Subsidiary is wholly-owned by the Strategic Real Return Portfolio. A U.S. person who owns (directly, indirectly or constructively) 10 percent or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock of a foreign corporation is a United States Shareholder for purposes of the controlled foreign corporation (CFC) provisions of the Code. A foreign corporation is a CFC if, on any day of its taxable year, more than 50 percent of the voting power or value of its stock is
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owned (directly, indirectly or constructively) by United States Shareholders. Because the Strategic Real Return Portfolio is a U.S. person that owns all of the stock of the Subsidiary, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio is a United States Shareholder and the Subsidiary is a CFC. As a United States Shareholder, the Strategic Real Return Portfolio is required to include in gross income for United States federal income tax purposes, as ordinary income, all of the Subsidiarys subpart F income, whether or not such income is distributed by the Subsidiary, which may increase the ordinary income recognized by the Strategic Real Return Portfolio. Subpart F income generally includes interest, original issue discount, dividends, net gains from the disposition of stocks or securities, receipts with respect to securities loans and net payments received with respect to equity swaps and similar derivatives. Subpart F income also includes the excess of gains over losses from transactions (including futures, forward and similar transactions) in commodities. It is expected that all of the Subsidiarys income will be subpart F income. The Strategic Real Return Portfolios recognition of the Subsidiarys subpart F income will increase the Strategic Real Return Portfolios tax basis in the Subsidiarys shares. Distributions by the Subsidiary to the Strategic Real Return Portfolio will be tax-free, to the extent of its previously undistributed subpart F income, and will correspondingly reduce the Strategic Real Return Portfolios tax basis in the Subsidiarys shares. Subpart F income is generally treated as ordinary income, regardless of the character of the Subsidiarys underlying income. If a net loss is realized by the Subsidiary, such loss is generally not available to offset the income earned by the Strategic Real Return Portfolio.
Book-Tax Differences . Certain of a Funds investments in derivative instruments and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and any of the Funds transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, are likely to produce a difference between its book income and the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income (if any). If such a difference arises, and a Funds book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a RIC that is accorded special tax treatment and to avoid an entity-level tax. In the alternative, if a Funds book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and net tax-exempt income, the distribution (if any) of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Funds remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipients basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset.
Foreign Taxation
A Funds income, proceeds and gains from sources within foreign countries may be subject to non-U.S. withholding or other taxes, which will reduce the yield on those investments. Tax conventions between certain countries and the United States may reduce or eliminate such taxes. If, at the close of a Funds taxable year, more than 50% of the assets of the Fund consists of the securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their income tax returns for their pro rata portions of qualified taxes paid by a Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities that the Fund has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes paid by such Fund. A shareholders ability to claim an offsetting foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by a Fund is subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, which may result in the shareholders not receiving a full credit or deduction (if any) for the amount of such taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize on their U.S. federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but not a deduction) for such foreign taxes. Even if a Fund were eligible to make such an election for a given year, it may determine not to do so.
If at the close of each quarter of its taxable year, at least 50% of the total assets of the Index Funds, the Strategic Real Return Fund, the Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund and the Target Funds consist of interests in other RICs (such as the Portfolios or the Underlying Funds), those Funds will be qualified fund of funds. In that case, the Fund is permitted to elect to pass through to its shareholders foreign income and other similar taxes paid by the Fund in respect of foreign securities held directly by the Fund or by the underlying RIC in which it invests that itself elected to pass such taxes through to shareholders. However, even if a Fund qualifies to make such election for any year, it may determine not to do so. Shareholders that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax, and those who invest in a Fund through tax-advantaged accounts (including those who invest through individual retirement accounts or other tax-advantaged retirement plans), generally will receive no benefit from any tax credit or deduction passed through by the Fund.
Backup Withholding
A Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number (TIN), who has under- reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to the Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding. The backup withholding rate is 28%.
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Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against the shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders
Income of a RIC that would be unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally constitute UBTI when distributed to a tax-exempt shareholder of the RIC. Notwithstanding this blocking effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Code Section 514(b).
A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a Fund recognizes excess inclusion income derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICS or equity interests in TMPs if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Funds investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).
In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) that invest in RICs that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in section 664 of the Code) that realizes any UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a RIC that recognizes excess inclusion income. Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision, or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a RIC that recognizes excess inclusion income, then the RIC will be subject to a tax on that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, each Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholders distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholders interest in a Fund. CRTs are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in each Fund.
Redemptions and Exchanges
Redemptions and exchanges of each Funds shares are taxable events and, accordingly, shareholders may realize gain or loss on these transactions. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to the shares. Further, subject to the discussion below regarding floating NAV money market funds, all or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares will be disallowed under the Codes wash-sale rule if other substantially identical shares are purchased, including by means of dividend reinvestment, within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss. Upon the redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund, the Fund or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary may be required to provide you and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares you redeemed or exchanged. See the Funds prospectuses for more information.
The IRS has issued proposed regulations, on which taxpayers may rely, that permit a simplified method of accounting for gains and losses realized upon the disposition of shares of a regulated investment company that is a so-called floating NAV money market fund, such as the 60 Day Fund and the Liquid Assets Fund. Very generally, rather than realizing gain or loss upon each redemption of a share, a shareholder using such method of accounting will recognize gain or loss with respect to such a Funds shares for a given computation period (the shareholders taxable year or shorter period selected by the shareholder) equal to the value of all the Fund shares held by the shareholder on the last day of the computation period, less the value of all Fund shares held by the shareholder on the last day of the preceding computation period, less the shareholders net investment in the Fund (generally, purchases minus redemptions) made during the computation period. The IRS has also published guidance providing that the wash-sale of the Codedisallowing losses on taxable dispositions of Fund shares where other substantially identical shares are purchased, including by means of dividend reinvestment, within 30 days before or after the dispositionwill not apply to redemptions of shares in a money market fund subject to the floating NAV amendments. The proposed regulations and IRS guidance remain subject to change. Shareholders of a Fund are urged to consult their own tax advisors regarding their investment in the Fund.
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Tax Shelter Reporting
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the 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. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all RICs. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisers to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Non-U.S. Shareholders
Non-U.S. shareholders in the Fund should consult their tax advisors concerning the tax consequences of ownership of shares in the
Fund. Distributions by the Fund to shareholders that are not U.S. persons within the meaning of the Code ( foreign shareholders) properly reported by the Fund as (1) Capital Gain Dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends, and (3) interest-related dividends, each as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, generally are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax.
In general, the Code defines (1) short-term capital gain dividends as distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses and (2) interest-related dividends as distributions from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, in each case to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by the Fund in a written notice to shareholders.
The exceptions to withholding for Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain dividends do not apply to (A) distributions to an individual foreign shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (B) distributions attributable to gain that is (or is treated as) effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States, including distributions subject to special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below. If the Fund invests in a RIC that pays such distributions to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign shareholders. The exception to withholding for interest-related dividends does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder (i) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (ii) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign shareholder is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (iii) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (iv) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation). A RIC is permitted to report such parts of its dividends as are eligible to be treated as interest-related or short-term capital gain dividends, but is not required to do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if the Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders.
Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of withholding rules to their accounts.
Distributions by a Fund to foreign shareholders other than Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends (e.g., dividends attributable to dividend and foreign-source interest income or to short-term capital gains or U.S. source interest income to which the exception from withholding described above does not apply) are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).
A foreign shareholder is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Fund unless (a) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct of a trade or business carried on by such holder within the United States, (b) in the case of an individual holder, the holder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met, or (c) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests (USRPIs) apply to the foreign shareholders sale of shares of the Fund (as described below).
Foreign shareholders with respect to whom income from a Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign person within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in shares of the Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will
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generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.
Special rules would apply if a Fund were a qualified investment entity (QIE) because it is either a U.S. real property holding corporation (USRPHC) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition thereof. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporations USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other trade or business assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or, very generally, an entity that has been a USRPHC in the last five years. A Fund that holds, directly or indirectly, significant interests in REITs may be a USRPHC. Interests in domestically controlled QIEs, including REITs and RICs that are QIEs, not-greater-than-10% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs and not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in RICs generally are not USRPIs, but these exceptions do not apply for purposes of determining whether a Fund is a QIE. If an interest in a Fund were a USRPI, the Fund would be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.
If a Fund were a QIE under a special look-through rule, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder attributable directly or indirectly to (i) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands and (ii) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund, would retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Funds foreign shareholders and would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholders current and past ownership of the Fund. Each Fund generally does not expect that it will be a QIE.
Foreign shareholders of a Fund also may be subject to wash sale rules to prevent the avoidance of the tax-filing and payment obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares.
Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisers and, if holding shares through intermediaries, their intermediaries, concerning the application of these rules to their investment in the Fund.
In order for a foreign shareholder to qualify for any exemptions from withholding described above or from lower withholding tax rates under income tax treaties, or to establish an exemption from back back-up withholding, the foreign shareholder must comply with special certification and filing requirements relating to its non-U.S. status (including, in general, furnishing an IRS Form W-8BEN, IRS Form W-8BEN-E or substitute form). Non-U.S. investors in the Funds should consult their tax advisers in this regard.
Special rules (including withholding and reporting requirements) apply to foreign partnerships and those holding Fund shares through foreign partnerships. Additional considerations may apply to foreign trusts and estates. Investors holding Fund shares through foreign entities should consult their tax advisers about their particular situation.
A foreign shareholder may be subject to state and local tax and to the U.S. federal estate tax in addition to the U.S. federal income tax on income referred to above.
Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect To Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
Shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of a Fund by vote or value could be required to report annually their financial interest in the Funds foreign financial accounts, if any, on FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor, and persons investing in a Fund through an intermediary should contact their intermediary, regarding the applicability to them of this reporting requirement.
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Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements
Sections 1471-1474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, FATCA) generally require a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement (an IGA) between the United States and a foreign government. If a shareholder fails to provide the requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays and 30% of the gross proceeds of share redemptions or exchanges and certain Capital Gain Dividends it pays on or after January 1, 2017 (which date, under recent Treasury guidance, is expected to be delayed until on or after January 1, 2019). If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above ( e.g. , Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends).
Each prospective investor is urged to consult its tax adviser regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investors own situation, including investments through an intermediary.
General Considerations
The U.S. federal income tax discussion set forth above is for general information only. Prospective investors should consult their tax advisers regarding the specific U.S. federal income tax consequences of purchasing, holding, and disposing of shares of the Fund, as well as the effects of state, local, foreign, and other tax laws and any proposed tax law changes.
State Street Global Markets, LLC serves as the Funds Distributor (the Distributor) pursuant to the Distribution Agreement by and between the Distributor and the Trust. Pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, the Funds pay the Distributor fees under the Rule 12b-1 Plan in effect for the Funds. For a description of the fees paid to the Distributor under the Rule 12b-1 Plan, see Shareholder Servicing and Distribution Plans, above. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific number of shares and will sell shares of a Fund on a continuous basis only against orders to purchase shares. The principal business address of the Distributor is One Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111.
The audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended December 31, 2015 for the Funds in operation at that date are included in the Annual Report of the Trust (the Annual Report), which was filed with the SEC on March 4, 2016 as part of the Trusts filing on Form N-CSR (SEC Accession No. 0001193125-15-087273) and are incorporated into this SAI by reference. The Annual Report is available, without charge, upon request, by calling (866) 392-0869.
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RATINGS OF DEBT INSTRUMENTS
MOODYS INVESTORS SERVICE, INC. (MOODYS) LONG TERM DEBT RATINGS. The following is a description of Moodys debt instrument ratings.
Aaa Bonds that are rated Aaa are judged to be of the highest quality, with minimal credit risk.
Aa Bonds that are rated Aa are judged to be of high quality and are subject to very low credit risk.
A Bonds that are rated A are considered upper-medium grade and are subject to low credit risk.
Baa Baa rated bonds are considered medium-grade obligations, and as such may possess certain speculative characteristics and are subject to moderate credit risk.
Ba Bonds which are rated Ba are judged to have speculative elements and are subject to substantial credit risk.
B and Lower Bonds which are rated B are considered speculative and are subject to high credit risk. Bonds which are rated
Caa are of poor standing and are subject to very high credit risk. Bonds which are rated Ca represent obligations which are highly speculative and are likely in, or very near, default, with some prospect of recovery of principal and interest. Bonds which are rated C are the lowest rated class of bonds and are typically in default, with little prospect for recovery of principal or interest.
Moodys applies numerical modifiers 1, 2 and 3 to each generic rating classification from Aa through Caa. The modifier 1 indicates that the security ranks in the higher end of its generic rating category; the modifier 2 indicates a midrange ranking; and the modifier 3 indicates a ranking in the lower end of that generic rating category.
P-1 Moodys short-term ratings are opinions of the ability of issuers (or supporting institutions) to honor short-term financial obligations. Such obligations generally have an original maturity not exceeding thirteen months. The designation Prime-1 or P-1 indicates a superior ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-2 Issuers (or supporting institutions) have a strong ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
P-3 Issuers (or supporting institutions) have an acceptable ability to repay short-term debt obligations.
STANDARD & POORS RATING GROUP (S&P). S&Ps ratings are based, in varying degrees, on the following considerations: (i) the likelihood of default capacity and willingness of the obligor as to the timely payment of interest and repayment of principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation; (ii) the nature of and provisions of the obligation; and (iii) the protection afforded by, and relative position of, the obligation in the event of bankruptcy, reorganization, or other arrangement under the laws of bankruptcy and other laws affecting creditors rights.
AAA Bonds rated AAA are highest grade debt obligations. This rating indicates an extremely strong capacity to pay principal and interest.
AA Bonds rated AA also qualify as high-quality obligations. Their capacity to pay principal and interest is very strong, and in the majority of instances they differ from AAA issues only by a small degree.
A Bonds rated A have a strong capacity to pay principal and interest, although they are more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than bonds in higher-rated categories.
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BBB Bonds rated BBB exhibit adequate protection parameters. However, adverse economic conditions or changing circumstances are more likely to lead to a weakened capacity to pay interest and principal.
BB and Lower Bonds rated BB, B, CCC, CC, and C are regarded as having significant speculative characteristics with respect to the issuers capacity to pay interest and principal in accordance with the terms of the obligation. BB indicates the least degree of speculation and C the highest degree of speculation. While such bonds may have some quality and protective characteristics, these are outweighed by large uncertainties or major risk exposures to adverse conditions.
The ratings AA to C may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
A-1- Standard & Poors short-term issue credit ratings are current assessments of the likelihood of timely payments of debt having original maturity of no more than 365 days. The A-1 designation indicates that the capacity for payment is extremely strong.
A-2- The capacity for timely payment on issues with this designation is strong. However, a short-term debt with this rating is somewhat more susceptible to the adverse effects of changes in circumstances and economic conditions than debts in higher rating categories.
Plus (+) or minus (-): The ratings from AA to CCC may be modified by the addition of a plus or minus sign to show relative standing within the major rating categories.
FITCH RATINGS. (FITCH).
Fitch Ratings cover a global spectrum of corporate, sovereign (including supranational and sub-national), financial, bank, insurance, municipal and other public finance entities and the securities or other obligations they issue.
AAA Highest credit quality. AAA ratings denote the lowest expectation of default risk. They are assigned only in cases of exceptionally strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is highly unlikely to be adversely affected by foreseeable events.
AA Very high credit quality. AA ratings denote expectations of very low default risk. They indicate very strong capacity for payment of financial commitments. This capacity is not significantly vulnerable to foreseeable events.
A High credit quality. A ratings denote expectations of low default risk. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered strong. This capacity may, nevertheless, be more vulnerable to adverse business or economic conditions than is the case for higher ratings.
BBB Good credit quality. BBB ratings indicate that expectations of default risk are currently low. The capacity for payment of financial commitments is considered adequate but adverse business or economic conditions are more likely to impair this capacity.
BB Speculative BB ratings indicate an elevated vulnerability to default risk, particularly in the event of adverse changes in business or economic conditions over time; however, business or financial flexibility exists which supports the servicing of financial commitments.
Fitch Ratings appends the modifiers + or - to denote relative status within the major rating categories.
A short-term rating has a time horizon of up to 13 months for most obligations, or up to 36 months for US public finance securities, and thus places greater emphasis on the liquidity necessary to meet financial commitments in a timely manner.
F1. Highest short-term credit quality. Indicates the strongest intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments; may have an added + to denote any exceptionally strong credit feature.
F2. Good short-term credit quality. A Good intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments.
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F3. Fair short-term credit quality. The intrinsic capacity for timely payment of financial commitments is adequate.
B. Speculative short-term credit quality. Minimal capacity for timely payment of financial commitments, plus vulnerability to near-term adverse changes in financial and economic conditions.
C. High short-term default risk. Default is a real possibility.
D. Default. Indicates a broad-based default event for an entity, or the default of a specific short-term obligation.
E. Restricted Default. Indicates an entity has defaulted on one or more of its financial commitments, although it continues to meet other financial obligations.
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SSGA FUNDS
STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
As of February 13, 2014
The Boards of Trustees of the SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust (each a Trust) 1 have adopted the following policy and procedures with respect to voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trusts investment portfolios.
1. | Proxy Voting Policy |
The policy of the Trust is to delegate the responsibility for voting proxies relating to portfolio securities held by the Trust to SSgA Funds Management, Inc., the Trusts investment adviser (the Adviser), subject to the Trustees continuing oversight.
2. | Fiduciary Duty |
The right to vote proxies with respect to a portfolio security held by the Trust is an asset of the Trust. The Adviser acts as a fiduciary of the Trust and must vote proxies in a manner consistent with the best interest of the Trust and its shareholders.
3. | Proxy Voting Procedures |
A. At least annually, the Adviser shall present to the Board its policies, procedures and other guidelines for voting proxies (Policy). In addition, the Adviser shall notify the Trustees of material changes to its Policy promptly and not later than the next regular meeting of the Board of Trustees after such amendment is implemented.
B. With respect to any proxies that the Adviser has identified as involving a conflict of interest, the Adviser shall submit a report indicating the nature of the conflict of interest and how that conflict was resolved with respect to the voting of the proxy at the next regular meeting of the Board or Trustees. For this purpose, a conflict of interest shall be deemed to occur when the Adviser, the principal underwriter of the Trust (the Principal Underwriter) or an affiliated person of the Adviser or the Principal Underwriter has a financial interest in a matter presented by a proxy to be voted on behalf of a Trust, other than the obligations the Adviser or the Principal Underwriter incurs as a service provider to the Trust, which may compromise the Advisers or Principal Underwriters independence of judgment and action in voting the proxy.
C. At least annually, the Adviser shall inform the Trustees that a record is available with respect to each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Trust during the year. Also see Section 5 below.
4. | Revocation of Authority to Vote |
The delegation by the Trustees of the authority to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Trust may be revoked by the Trustees, in whole or in part, at any time.
1 | Unless otherwise noted, the singular term Trust used throughout this document means each of SSgA Funds, State Street Master Funds and State Street Institutional Investment Trust. |
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5. | Annual Filing of Proxy Voting Record |
The Adviser shall provide the required data for each proxy voted with respect to portfolio securities of the Trust to the Trust or its designated service provider in a timely manner and in a format acceptable to be filed in the Trusts annual proxy voting report on Form N-PX for the twelve-month period ended June 30. Form N-PX is required to be filed not later than August 31 of each year.
6. | Disclosures |
A. | The Trust shall include in its registration statement: |
1. A description of this policy and of the policies and procedures used by the Adviser to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities; and
2. A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the Securities and Exchange Commissions (the SEC) website.
B. | The Trust shall include in its annual and semi-annual reports to shareholders: |
1. A statement disclosing that a description of the policies and procedures used by or on behalf of the Trust to determine how to vote proxies relating to portfolio securities of the Funds is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; through a specified Internet address, if applicable; and on the SECs website; and
2. A statement disclosing that information regarding how the Trust voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent twelve-month period ended June 30 is available without charge, upon request, by calling the Trusts toll-free telephone number; or through a specified Internet address; or both; and on the SECs website.
7. | Review of Policy |
The Trustees shall review this policy to determine its continued sufficiency as necessary from time to time.
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APPENDIX C ADVISERS PROXY VOTING PROCEDURES AND GUIDELINES
March 2016
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.
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FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
SSGA FM maintains Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines for select markets, including: the US, the EU, the UK, Australia, emerging markets and Japan. International markets that do not have specific guidelines are reviewed and voted consistent with our Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles; however, SSGA FM also endeavors to show sensitivity to local market practices when voting in these various markets.
SSGA FMs Approach to Proxy Voting and Issuer Engagement
At SSGA FM, we take our fiduciary duties as an asset manager very seriously. We have a dedicated team of corporate governance professionals who help us carry out our duties as a responsible investor. These duties include engaging with companies, developing and enhancing in-house corporate governance policies, analyzing corporate governance issues on a case-by-case basis at the company level, and exercising our voting rightsall to maximize shareholder value.
SSGA FMs Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles (the Principles) may take different perspectives on common governance issues that vary from one market to another and, likewise, engagement activity may take different forms in order to best achieve long-term engagement goals. We believe that proxy voting and engagement with portfolio companies is often the most direct and productive way shareholders can exercise their ownership rights, and taken together, we view these tools to be an integral part of the overall investment process.
We believe engagement and voting activity have a direct relationship. As a result, the integration of our engagement activities, while leveraging the exercise of our voting rights, provides a meaningful shareholder tool that we believe protects and enhances the long-term economic value of the holdings in our client accounts. SSGA FM maximizes its voting power and engagement by maintaining a centralized proxy voting and active ownership process covering all holdings, regardless of strategy. Despite the different investment views and objectives across SSGA FM, depending on the product or strategy, the fiduciary responsibilities of share ownership and voting for which SSGA FM has voting discretion are carried out with a single voice and objective.
The Principles support governance structures that we believe add to, or maximize shareholder value at the companies held in our clients portfolios. SSGA FM conducts issuer specific engagements with companies to discuss our principles, including sustainability related risks. In addition, we encourage issuers to find ways of increasing the amount of direct communication board members have with shareholders. We believe direct communication with executive board members and independent non-executive
directors is critical to helping companies understand shareholder concerns. Conversely, where appropriate, we conduct collaborative engagement activities with multiple shareholders and communicate with company representatives about common concerns.
In conducting our engagements, SSGA FM also evaluates the various factors that play into the corporate governance framework of a country, including the macroeconomic conditions and broader political system, the quality of regulatory oversight, the enforcement of property and shareholder rights and the independence of the judiciary to name a few. SSGA FM understands that regulatory requirements and investor expectations relating to governance practices and engagement activities differ from country-to-country. As a result, SSGA FM engages with issuers, regulators, or both, depending on the market. SSGA FM also is a member of various investor associations that seek to address broader corporate governance related policy at the country level as well as issuer specific concerns at a company level.
To help mitigate company specific risk, the team may collaborate with members of the active investment teams to engage with companies on corporate governance issues and address any specific concerns, or to get more information regarding shareholder items that are to be voted on at upcoming shareholder meetings. Outside of proxy voting season, SSGA FM conducts issuer specific engagements with companies covering various corporate governance and sustainability related topics.
The SSGA 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
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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.
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.
Proxy Voting Procedure
Oversight
The SSGA 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 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.
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Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
Directors and Boards
The election of directors is one of the most important fiduciary duties SSGA FM performs as a shareholder. SSGA FM believes that well-governed companies can protect and pursue shareholder interests better and withstand the challenges of an uncertain economic environment. As such, SSGA FM seeks to vote director elections in a way which we, as a fiduciary, believe will maximize the long-term value of each portfolios holdings.
Principally, a board acts on behalf of shareholders by protecting their interests and preserving their rights. This concept establishes the standard by which board and director performance is measured. To achieve this fundamental principle, the role of the board, in SSGA FMs view, is to carry out its responsibilities in the best long-term interest of the company and its shareholders. An independent and effective board oversees management, provides guidance on strategic matters, selects the CEO and other senior executives, creates a succession plan for the board and management, provides risk oversight and assesses the performance of the CEO and management. In contrast, management implements the business and capital allocation strategies and runs the companys day-to-day operations. As part of SSGA FMs engagement process, SSGA FM routinely discusses the importance of these responsibilities with the boards of issuers.
SSGA FM believes the quality of a board is a measure of director independence, director succession planning, board evaluations and refreshment and company governance practices. In voting to elect nominees, SSGA FM considers many factors. SSGA FM believes independent directors are crucial to good corporate governance and help management establish sound corporate governance policies and practices. A sufficiently independent 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 dilutive to its shareholders.
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, 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
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FM Global Proxy Voting and Engagement Principles
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.
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.
Fixed Income Stewardship
The two elements of SSGA FMs fixed income stewardship program are:
Proxy Voting:
While matters that come up for a vote at bondholder meetings vary by jurisdiction, examples of common proxy voting resolutions at bondholder meetings include:
| Approving amendments to debt covenants and/or terms of issuance; |
| Authorizing procedural matters such as filing of required documents/other formalities; |
| Approving debt restructuring plans; |
| Abstaining from challenging the bankruptcy trustees; |
| Authorizing repurchase of issued debt security; |
| Approving the placement of unissued debt securities under the control of directors; and, |
| Approve spin-off/absorption proposals. |
Given the nature of the items that come up for vote at bondholder meetings, SSGA FM takes a case-by-case approach to voting bondholder resolutions. Where necessary, SSGA FM will engage with issuers on voting matters prior to arriving at voting decisions. All voting decisions will be made in the best interest of our clients.
Issuer Engagement:
SSGA FM recognizes that debt holders have limited leverage with companies on a day-to-day basis. However, we believe that given the size of our holdings in corporate debt, SSGA FM can meaningfully influence ESG practices of companies through issuer engagement. Our guidelines for engagement with fixed income issuers broadly follow the engagement guidelines for our equity holdings as described above.
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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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For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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. 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.
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.
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March 2016
Managing Conflicts of Interest Arising From SSGAS Proxy Voting and Engagement Activity
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 Arising From SSGAS Proxy Voting and Engagement Activity
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, serves as a director on the board of a listed company) 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.
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Managing Conflicts of Interest Arising From SSGAS Proxy Voting and Engagement Activity
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For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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. |
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
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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 not been responsive to a shareholder proposal which received a majority shareholder support at the last annual or special meeting; consideration maybe given if 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 bylaws that negatively impact SSGA FMs shareholder rights (such as fee-shifting, forum selection and exclusion service bylaws) 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 by-laws 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
In general, SSGA FM believes that proxy access is a fundamental right and an accountability mechanism for all long-term shareholders. SSGA FM will consider proposals relating to Proxy Access on a case-by-case basis. SSGA FM will support shareholder proposals that set parameters to empower long-term shareholders while providing management the flexibility to design a process that is appropriate for the companys circumstances.
SSGA FM will review the terms of all other proposals and will support those proposals that have been introduced in the spirit of enhancing shareholder rights.
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 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.
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
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conducting both activities and will support the establishment of a selection committee responsible for the final approval of significant management consultant contract awards where existing firms are already acting in an auditing function.
In circumstances where other fees include fees related to initial public offerings, bankruptcy emergence, and spin-offs, and the company makes public disclosure of the amount and nature of those fees which are determined to be an exception to the standard non-audit fee category, then such fees may be excluded from the non-audit fees considered in determining the ratio of non-audit to audit/audit-related fees/tax compliance and preparation for purposes of determining whether non-audit fees are excessive.
SSGA FM will support the discharge of auditors and requirements that auditors attend the annual meeting of shareholders. 1
Capital Related Issues
Capital structure proposals include requests by management for approval of amendments to the certificate of incorporation that will alter the capital structure of the company.
The most common request is for an increase in the number of authorized shares of common stock, usually in conjunction with a stock split or dividend. Typically, requests that are not unreasonably dilutive or enhance the rights of common shareholders are supported. In considering authorized share proposals, the typical threshold for approval is 100% over current authorized shares. However, the threshold may be increased if the company offers a specific need or purpose (merger, stock splits, growth purposes, etc.). All proposals are evaluated on a case-by-case basis taking into account the companys specific financial situation.
Increase in Authorized Common Shares
In general, SSGA FM supports share increases for general corporate purposes up to 100% of current authorized stock.
SSGA FM supports increases for specific corporate purposes up to 100% of the specific need plus 50% of current authorized common stock for US firms.
When applying the thresholds, SSGA FM will also consider the nature of the specific need, such as mergers and acquisitions and stock splits.
Increase in Authorized Preferred Shares
SSGA FM votes on a case-by-case basis on proposals to increase the number of preferred shares.
Generally, SSGA FM will vote for the authorization of preferred stock in cases where the company specifies the
voting, dividend, conversion, and other rights of such stock and the terms of the preferred stock appear reasonable.
SSGA FM will support proposals to create declawed blank check preferred stock (stock that cannot be used as a takeover defense). However, SSGA FM will vote against proposals to increase the number of blank check preferred stock authorized for issuance when no shares have been issued or reserved for a specific purpose.
Unequal Voting Rights
SSGA FM will not support proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will vote against new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSGA FM will not support capitalization changes that add blank check classes of stock (i.e. classes of stock with undefined voting rights) or classes that dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.
However, SSGA FM will support capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, 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. |
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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 by-laws to add or delete a provision that is deemed to have an anti-takeover effect. The majority of these proposals deal with managements attempt to add some provision that makes a hostile takeover more difficult or will protect incumbent management in the event of a change in control of the company.
Proposals that reduce shareholders rights or have the effect of entrenching incumbent management will not be supported.
Proposals that enhance the right of shareholders to make their own choices as to the desirability of a merger or other proposal are supported.
Shareholder Rights Plans
SSGA FM will support mandates requiring shareholder approval of a shareholder rights plans (poison pill) and repeals of various anti-takeover related provisions.
In general, SSGA FM will vote against the adoption or renewal of a US issuers shareholder rights plan (poison pill).
SSGA FM will vote for an amendment to a shareholder rights plan (poison pill) where the terms of the new plans are more favorable to shareholders ability to accept unsolicited offers (i.e. if one of the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20%, (ii) maximum term of three years, (iii) no dead hand, slow hand, no hand or similar feature that limits the ability of a future board to redeem the pill, and (iv) inclusion of a shareholder redemption feature (qualifying offer clause), permitting ten percent of the shares to call a special meeting or seek a written consent to vote on rescinding the pill if the board refuses to redeem the pill 90 days after a qualifying offer is announced).
Special Meetings
SSGA FM will vote for shareholder proposals related to special meetings at companies that do not provide shareholders the right to call for a special meeting in their by-laws 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 by-laws 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 by-laws 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.
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Remuneration Issues
Despite the differences among the types of plans and the awards possible there is a simple underlying philosophy that guides the analysis of all compensation plans; namely, are the terms of the plan designed to provide an incentive for executives and/or employees to align their interests with those of the shareholders and thus work toward enhancing shareholder value. Plans which benefit participants only when the shareholders also benefit are those most likely to be supported.
Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation and Frequency
SSGA FM believes executive compensation plays a critical role in aligning executives interest with shareholders, attracting, retaining and incentivizing key talent, and ensuring positive correlation between the performance achieved by management and the benefits derived by shareholders. SSGA FM supports management proposals on executive compensation where there is a strong relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period. SSGA FM seeks adequate disclosure of different compensation elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. Further, shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance on an annual basis.
Employee Equity Award Plans
SSGA FM considers numerous criteria when examining equity award proposals. Generally, SSGA FM does not vote against plans for lack of performance or vesting criteria. Rather, the main criteria that will result in a vote against an equity award plan are:
Excessive voting power dilution To assess the dilutive effect, we divide the number of shares required to fully fund the proposed plan, the number of authorized but unissued shares and the issued but unexercised shares by the fully diluted share count. SSGA FM reviews that number in light of certain factors, including the industry of the issuer.
Historical option grants Excessive historical option grants over the past three years. Plans that provide for historical grant patterns of greater than five to eight 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 by-laws 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 by-laws 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 a voting item; |
| Proposals giving the board exclusive authority to amend the by-laws; and |
| Proposals to reduce quorum requirements for shareholder meetings below a majority of the shares outstanding unless there are compelling reasons to support the proposal. |
Environmental and Social Issues
As a fiduciary, we consider the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business.
Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSGA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face
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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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066 155. 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.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 into 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 FM expects boards of ASX-300 listed companies to be comprised of at least a majority of independent directors. At all other listed companies, SSGA FM expects boards to be comprised of at least one-third independent directors.
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; |
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| 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 Australian 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 and 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.
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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 to 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.
Pre-emption rights are a fundamental right for shareholders to protect their investment in a company. Where companies seeks to issue new shares without 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 repurchase requests that allow share repurchases 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, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported. SSGA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSGA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
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Anti-Takeover Measures
SSGA FM opposes anti-takeover defenses, such as authorities for the board, when subject to a hostile takeover, to issue warrants convertible into shares to existing shareholders.
Remuneration
Executive Pay
There is a simple underlying philosophy that guides SSGA FMs analysis of executive paythere should be a direct relationship between remuneration and company performance over the long-term. Shareholders should have the opportunity to assess whether pay structures and levels are aligned with business performance. When assessing remuneration reports, SSGA FM considers factors such as adequate disclosure of different remuneration elements, absolute and relative pay levels, peer selection and benchmarking, the mix of long term and short term incentives, alignment of pay structures with shareholder interests as well as with corporate strategy and performance. SSGA FM may oppose remuneration reports where there seems to be a misalignment between pay and shareholders interests and where incentive policies and schemes have a re-test option or feature. SSGA FM may also vote against the re-election of members of the remuneration committee if we have serious concerns over remuneration practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure to review its approach.
Equity Incentive 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
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depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint. SSGA FM may also take action against the re-election of members of the board if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure.
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State Street Global Advisors Worldwide Entities
Australia : State Street Global Advisors, Australia, Limited (ABN 42 003 914 225) is the holder of an Australian Financial Services Licence (AFSL Number 238276). Registered Office: Level 17, 420 George Street, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia. 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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
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March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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. |
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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 favor of the annual election of directors, we recognize that director terms vary considerably in different European markets. SSGA FM may vote against article/by-law 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 and 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, with 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 to 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.
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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.
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 favors 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 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 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.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders,
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 anti-takeover 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 anti-takeover 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 Incentive Plans
SSGA FM may not support proposals on equity-based incentive plans where insufficient information is provided on matters such as grant limits, performance metrics, performance and vesting periods and overall dilution. SSGA FM does not generally support options under such plans being issued at a discount to market price or plans that allow for re-testing of performance metrics.
NonExecutive Director Pay
In European markets, authorities seeking shareholder approval for non-executive directors fees are generally not controversial. SSGA FM generally supports resolutions regarding directors fees unless disclosure is poor and we are unable to determine whether they are excessive relative to fees paid by other companies in the same country or industry. SSGA FM will evaluate on a company-by-company basis any non-cash or performance related pay to non-executive directors.
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Risk Management
SSGA FM believes that risk management is a key function of the board, which is responsible for setting the overall risk appetite of a company and for providing oversight on the risk management process established by senior executives at a company. SSGA FM allows boards discretion over how they provide oversight in this area. However, SSGA FM expects companies to disclose how the board provides oversight on its risk management system and to identify key risks facing the company. Boards should also review existing and emerging risks as they can change with a changing political and economic landscape, or as companies diversify or expand their operations into new areas.
Environmental and Social Issues
As a fiduciary, SSGA FM considers the financial and economic implications of environmental and social issues first and foremost. In this regard, SSGA FM supports environmental and social related items that we believe would protect or enhance shareholder value. Environmental and social factors not only can have an impact on the reputation of companies; they may also represent significant operational risks and costs to business. Well-developed environmental and social management systems can also generate efficiencies and enhance productivity, both of which impact shareholder value in the long-term.
SSGA FM encourages companies to be transparent about the environmental and social risks and opportunities they face and adopt robust policies and processes to manage such issues. In our view, companies that manage all risks and consider opportunities related to environmental and social issues are able to adapt faster to changes and appear to be better placed to achieve sustainable competitive advantage in the long-term. Similarly, companies with good risk management systems, which include environmental and social policies, have a stronger position relative to their peers to manage risk and change, which could result in anything from regulation and litigation, physical threats (severe weather, climate change), economic trends as well as shifts in consumer behavior.
In their public reporting, we expect companies to disclose information on relevant management tools and material environmental and social performance metrics. We support efforts by companies to try to demonstrate how sustainability fits into operations and business activities. SSGA FMs team of analysts evaluates these risks and shareholder proposals relating to them on an issuer by issuer basis; understanding that environmental and social risks can vary widely depending on company industry, its operations, and geographic footprint. SSGA FM may also take action against the re-election of members of the board if we have serious concerns over ESG practices and the company has not been responsive to shareholder pressure.
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For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
State Street Global Advisors |
© 2016 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. INST-6457 0316 Exp. Date: 03/31/2017 |
March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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
SSGA FM believes that a well constituted board of directors, with a good balance of skills, expertise and independence, provides the foundations for a well governed company. However, several factors such as low overall independence level requirements by market regulators, poor biographical disclosure of director profiles, prevalence of related-party transactions and the general resistance from controlling shareholders to increase board independence renders the election of directors as one of the most important fiduciary duties SSGA FM performs in emerging market companies.
SSGA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering various factors including general market practice and availability of information on director skills and expertise. SSGA FM expects companies to meet minimum overall board independence standards as defined in a corporate governance code or market practice. Therefore, in several countries, SSGA FM will vote against select non-independent directors if overall board independence levels do not meet market standards.
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. |
In some countries, market practice calls for the establishment of a board level audit committee. In such cases, SSGA FM believes companies should have an audit committee that is responsible for monitoring the integrity of the financial statements of the company, appointing external auditors, monitoring their qualifications and independence as well as their effectiveness and resource levels. Based on our desire to enhance the quality of financial and accounting oversight provided by independent directors, SSGA FM expects that listed companies have an audit committee that is constituted of a majority of independent directors.
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
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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-appointment 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-shareholdings 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 and a definitive number of shares to be repurchased.
Mergers and Acquisitions
Mergers or reorganizing the structure of a company often involve proposals relating to reincorporation, restructurings,
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. |
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.
Remuneration
SSGA FM considers it to be the boards responsibility to set appropriate levels 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.
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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 investigations, charges of fraud or other indication of significant concerns.
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
ssga.com
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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, regulated by the Monetary Authority of Singapore) Telephone: +65 6826-7555 Facsimile: +65 6826-7501 Web: www.SSGA.com. 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.
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.
State Street Global Advisors |
© 2016 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. INST-6455 0316 Exp. Date: 03/31/2017 |
March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 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.
Japanese companies have the option of having a traditional board of directors with statutory auditors, a board with a committee structure, or a hybrid board with board level audit committee. SSGA FM will generally support companies that seek shareholder approval to adopt a committee or hybrid board 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 and 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 two outside directors, 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 independent directors. |
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
For companies with a committee structure or a hybrid board structure, SSGA FM votes for the election/re-election of directors on a case-by-case basis after considering general market practice, as well as the independence of the nominee. SSGA FM also takes into consideration the overall independence level of the committees. In determining director independence, SSGA FM considers the following factors:
| Participation in related-party transactions and other business relations with the company; |
| Past employment with the company; |
| Provides professional services to the company; and |
| Family ties with the company. |
Regardless of board structure, SSGA FM may oppose the election of a director for the following reasons:
| Failure to attend board meetings; or |
| In instances of egregious actions related to a directors service on the board. |
Indemnification and Limitations on Liability
Generally, SSGA FM supports proposals to limit directors and statutory auditors liability and/or expand indemnification and liability protection up to the limit provided by law, if he or she has not acted in bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of his or her office. SSGA FM believes limitations and indemnification are necessary to attract and retain qualified directors.
Audit Related Items
SSGA FM believes that a companys auditor is an essential feature of an effective and transparent system of external supervision and shareholders should have the opportunity to vote on their appointment at the annual meeting.
Ratifying External Auditors
SSGA FM will generally support the appointment of external auditors unless the external auditor is perceived as being non-independent and there are concerns about the accounts presented and the audit procedures followed.
Limit Legal Liability of External Auditors
SSGA FM generally opposes limiting the legal liability of audit firms as we believe this could create a negative impact on the quality of the audit function.
Capital Structure, Reorganization and Mergers
SSGA FM supports the one share one vote policy and favors a share structure where all shares have equal voting rights. SSGA FM supports proposals to abolish voting caps or multiple voting rights and will oppose measures to introduce these types of restrictions on shareholder rights.
SSGA FM believes pre-emption rights should be introduced for shareholders in order to provide adequate protection from being overly diluted from the issuance of new shares or convertible securities to third parties or a small number of select shareholders.
Unequal Voting Rights
SSGA FM generally opposes proposals authorizing the creation of new classes of common stock with superior voting rights and will generally oppose new classes of preferred stock with unspecified voting, conversion, dividend distribution, and other rights. In addition, SSGA FM will not support capitalization changes that add classes of stock with undefined voting rights or classes that may dilute the voting interests of existing shareholders.
However, SSGA FM will support capitalization changes that eliminate other classes of stock and/or unequal voting rights.
Increase in Authorized Capital
SSGA FM generally supports increases in authorized capital where the company provides an adequate explanation for the use of shares. In the absence of an adequate explanation, SSGA FM may oppose the request if the increase in authorized capital exceeds 100 percent of the currently authorized capital. 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 percent or more of net income. SSGA FM may vote against the dividend payouts if the dividend payout ratio has been consistently below 30 percent 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 Japanese 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.
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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, liquidations, and other major changes to the corporation. Proposals that are in the best interests of the shareholders, demonstrated by enhancing share value or improving the effectiveness of the companys operations, will be supported. In general, provisions that are not viewed as economically sound or are thought to be destructive to shareholders rights are not supported.
SSGA FM evaluates mergers and structural reorganizations on a case-by-case basis. SSGA FM will generally support transactions that maximize shareholder value. Some of the considerations include, but are not limited to the following:
| Offer premium; |
| Strategic rationale; |
| Board oversight of the process for the recommended transaction, including, director and/or management conflicts of interest; |
| Offers made at a premium and where there are no other higher bidders; and |
| Offers in which the secondary market price is substantially lower than the net asset value. |
SSGA FM may vote against a transaction considering the following:
| Offers with potentially damaging consequences for minority shareholders because of illiquid stock; |
| Offers where we believe there is a reasonable prospect for an enhanced bid or other bidders; and |
| At the time of voting, the current market price of the security exceeds the bid price. |
Anti-Takeover Measures
In general, SSGA FM believes that adoption of poison pills that have been structured to protect management and to prevent takeover bids from succeeding is not in shareholders interest. A shareholder rights plan may lead to management entrenchment and discourage legitimate tender offers and acquisitions. Even if the premium paid to companies with a shareholder rights plan is higher than that offered to unprotected firms, a companys chances of receiving a
takeover offer in the first place may be reduced by the presence of a shareholder rights plan.
Proposals that reduce shareholders rights or have the effect of entrenching incumbent management will not be supported.
Proposals that enhance the right of shareholders to make their own choices as to the desirability of a merger or other proposal are supported.
Shareholder Rights Plans
In evaluating poison pills, the following conditions must be met before SSGA FM will recommend a vote in favor.
SSGA FM will support the adoption or renewal of a Japanese issuers shareholder rights plans (poison pill) if the following conditions are met: (i) minimum trigger, flip-in or flip-over of 20 percent, (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 percent, (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.
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
Approve Adjustment to Aggregate Compensation Ceiling for Directors
Remuneration for directors is generally reasonable. Typically, each company sets the director compensation parameters as an aggregate thereby limiting the total pay to all directors. When requesting a change, a company must disclose the last time the ceiling was adjusted and management provides the rationale for the ceiling increase. SSGA FM will generally support proposed increases to the ceiling if the company discloses the rationale for the increase. SSGA FM may oppose proposals to increase the ceiling if there has been corporate malfeasance or sustained poor performance.
Approve Annual Bonuses for Directors/Statutory Auditors
In Japan, since there are no legal requirements that mandate companies to seek shareholder approval before awarding a bonus, SSGA FM believes that existing shareholder approval of the bonus should be considered best practice. As a result, SSGA FM supports management proposals on executive compensation where there is a strong relationship between executive pay and performance over a five-year period.
Approve Retirement Bonuses for Directors/Statutory Auditors
Retirement bonuses make up a sizeable portion of directors and auditors lifetime compensation and are based on board tenure. While many companies in Japan have abolished this practice, there remain many proposals seeking shareholder approval for the total amounts paid to directors and statutory auditors as a whole. In general, SSGA FM supports these payments unless the recipient is an outsider or in instances where the amount is not disclosed.
Approve Stock Plan
Most option plans in Japan are conservative, particularly at large companies. Japan corporate law requires companies to disclose the monetary value of the stock options for directors and/or statutory auditors. Some companies do not disclose the maximum number of options that can be issued per year and shareholders are unable to evaluate the dilution impact. In this case, SSGA FM cannot calculate the dilution level and, therefore, SSGA FM may oppose such plans for poor disclosure. SSGA FM also opposes plans that allow for the repricing of the exercise price.
Deep Discount Options
As Japanese companies move away from the retirement bonus system, deep discount options plans have become more popular. Typically, the exercise price is set at JPY 1 per share. SSGA FM evaluates deep discount options using the same criteria used to evaluate stock options as well as considering the vesting period.
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.
State Street Global Advisors | 5 |
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
ssga.com
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
State Street Global Advisors |
© 2016 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. INST-6454 0316 Exp. Date: 03/31/2017 |
March 2016
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.
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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. |
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.
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FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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 and 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, with 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 to 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.
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 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.
State Street Global Advisors | 3 |
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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, 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 anti-takeover 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 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 Incentive 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.
State Street Global Advisors | 4 |
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
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.
State Street Global Advisors | 5 |
FM Proxy Voting and Engagement Guidelines
ssga.com
For Public Use
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 Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano) is a branch of State Street Global Advisors Limited, a company registered in the UK, authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA ), with a capital of GBP 71650000.00, and whose registered office is at 20 Churchill Place, London E14 5HJ. State Street Global Advisors Limited, Milan Branch (Sede Secondaria di Milano), is registered in Italy with company number 06353340968 - R.E.A. 1887090 and VAT number 06353340968 and whose office is at Via dei Bossi, 4 - 20121 Milano, Italy Telephone: 39 02 32066 100 Facsimile: 39 02 32066
155. 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 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.
State Street Global Advisors |
© 2016 State Street Corporation. All Rights Reserved. INST-6453 0316 Exp. Date: 03/31/2017 |
APPENDIX D SUB-ADVISER PROXY VOTING
A. PROXY VOTING POLICY AND PROCEDURES
CBRE Clarion Securities
Section No.: | 10_1000 | Version: | 3.3 | |||
Policy Owner: | R.Tull | Effective Date: | 31 December 2011 | |||
File Location: | N:\Compliance\ComplGuid&Reg | Prior Policy: | N/A |
Policy
Proxy voting is an important right of shareholders, and reasonable care and diligence must be undertaken to ensure that such rights are properly and timely exercised. When CBRE Clarion has discretion to vote the proxies of its clients, it will vote those proxies in the best interest of its clients and in accordance with this policy and procedures.
For the accounts over which CBRE Clarion maintains proxy voting authority, CBRE Clarion will vote proxies in accordance with its proxy voting guidelines. CBRE Clarion may, in certain circumstances, voluntarily adhere to guidelines established by its clients if doing so can be accomplished within the proxy voting process established with the proxy voting administrator. Otherwise, CBRE Clarion will not accept proxy voting authority to the extent clients wish to impose voting guidelines different from those of CBRE Clarion. As the responsibility for proxy voting is defined at the outset of the client relationship (and documented in the Investment Management Agreement), CBRE Clarion does not anticipate any confusion on the part of its clients in this respect.
Procedures and Controls
Proxy Voting Process and Administration
CBRE Clarion has engaged ISS (formerly Risk Metrics Group) to provide proxy voting administration services, including the tracking of proxies received for clients, providing notice to CBRE Clarion concerning dates votes are due, the actual casting of ballots and recordkeeping. It is important to recognize that the ability of ISS and CBRE Clarion to process proxy voting decisions in a timely manner is contingent in large part on the custodian banks holding securities for CBRE Clarion clients. On a daily basis, CBRE Clarion provides ISS with a list of securities held in each account over which CBRE Clarion has voting authority.
CBRE Clarion established its own proxy voting guidelines based on a template provided by ISS. Proxy voting guidelines are reviewed and approved by designated Senior Global Portfolio Managers initially and annually thereafter. The approved proxy voting guidelines are provided to ISS to facilitate processing proxy voting.
Voting decisions remain within the discretion of CBRE Clarion. On a daily basis, CBRE Clarion Securities Operations group reviews an online system maintained by ISS in order to monitor for upcoming votes. When a pending vote is
D-1
identified, the Securities Operations team will forward the ballot to the appropriate Portfolio Manager or Investment Analyst for review, along with any supplemental information about the ballots provided by ISS and if available other research vendors to which CBRE Clarion subscribes. The Portfolio Manager or Investment Analyst determines the voting decision and communicates the vote to the Securities Operations group. If the voting decision is in contravention of the CBRE Clarion proxy voting guidelines, the Portfolio Manager or Investment Analysts decision must be approved by a Senior Global Portfolio Manager. Specifically, the Portfolio Manager or Investment Analyst must complete a Proxy Voting Form explaining the rationale for voting against the established guidelines. The Proxy Voting Form is reviewed by a Senior Global Portfolio Manager and the Chief Compliance Officer (or General Counsel), evidenced by signature.
Conflicts of Interest
CBRE Clarion will identify any conflicts that exist between the interests of CBRE Clarion and its clients as it relates to proxy voting. As noted in the Code of Ethics, CBRE Clarion obtains information from all employees regarding outside business activities and personal relationships with companies within the investable universe of real estate securities, such as serving as board members or executive officers of an issuer. Additionally, CBRE Clarion will consider the conflicts associated with any ballot which identifies a relationship to CBRE Global Investors or another affiliate within CBRE Group. Lastly, CBRE Clarion will consider any ballot which identifies a client of CBRE Clarion as a potential conflict of interest.
If a material conflict is identified for a particular ballot, CBRE Clarion will refer the ballot and conflict to the CBRE Clarion Risk & Control Committee for review. In such situations, CBRE Clarion will generally defer the vote either to the recommendation provided by ISS (not based on the CBRE Clarion guidelines) or to the affected client(s) so that the client may determine its voting decision.
Proxy Voting Records
Except as otherwise noted, the proxy voting process is coordinated by the Securities Operations group. Compliance is responsible for oversight of and testing of the process. As noted above, ISS provides recordkeeping services, including retaining a copy of each proxy statement received and each vote cast. This information is available to CBRE Clarion upon request.
CBRE Clarion will maintain files relating to its proxy voting procedures in an easily accessible place. Records will be maintained and preserved for five years from the end of the fiscal year during which the last entry was made on a record, with records for the first two years kept on site. These files will include:
(1) copies of the proxy voting policies and procedures and any amendments thereto,
(2) a copy of any document CBRE Clarion created that was material to making a decision how to vote proxies or that memorializes that decision, and
(3) a copy of each written client request for information on how CBRE Clarion voted such clients proxies and a copy of any written response to any (written or oral) client request for information on how CBRE Clarion voted its proxies.
D-2
Clients may contact the Compliance Department at (610) 995-2500 to obtain a copy of these policies and procedures (and, if desired, the firms proxy voting guidelines) or to request information on the voting of such clients proxies. A written response will list, with respect to each voted proxy that the client has inquired about:
(1) the name of the issuer,
(2) the proposal voted upon, and
(3) how CBRE Clarion voted the clients proxy.
* * * * *
SSITNFCOMBSAI
D-3
PART C. Other Information
Item 28. | Exhibits |
(a)(1) | Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust dated April 14, 2014 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on From N-1A filed with the Commission on April 25, 2014. | |
(b)(1) | Amended and Restated By-Laws of State Street Institutional Investment Trust are incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on August 28, 2015. | |
(c) | Not applicable. | |
(d)(1) | Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 17, 2015 between SSGA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust is filed herewith. | |
(2) | Amended and Restated Schedule B dated February 16, 2016 to the Investment Advisory Agreement dated November 17, 2015 between SSGA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust is filed herewith. | |
(3) | Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated October 9, 2014 between CBRE Clarion Securities LLC and the Trust with respect to the State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2015. | |
(4) | Investment Sub-Advisory Agreement dated January 20, 2015 between CBRE Clarion Securities LLC and the Trust with respect to the State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2015. | |
(5) | Form of Investment Advisory Agreement dated April 16, 2015 between SSgA Funds Management, Inc. and Skipjack Strategic Real Return Cayman Fund Ltd. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2015. | |
(6) |
Fee Waiver letter dated April 29, 2016 between SSGA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund, State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Global ex-U.S. Index Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is to be filed by subsequent amendment. |
|
(e)(1) | Distribution Agreement dated August 1, 2009 between State Street Global Markets, LLC, and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010. | |
(2) | Amended Distribution Agreement dated August 1, 2009 between State Street Global Markets, LLC, and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 36 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on December 12, 2011. | |
(3) | Notice to the Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Institutional Investment Trust, the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 |
Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Global Macro Absolute Return Fund, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund and State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2015. | ||
(4) | Notice to the Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Global Value Spotlight Fund, State Street International Value Spotlight Fund, State Street European Value Spotlight Fund and State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(5) | Notice to Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Green Bond Fund, State Street ESG Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Income Allocation Fund, State Street Multi-Asset Real Return Fund, State Street Global Allocation Fund and State Street Macro Absolute Return Bond Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 103 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2015. | |
(6) | Notice to the Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund and State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on August 28, 2015. | |
(7) | Notice to the Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund, State Street 60 Day Money Market Portfolio, State Street Cash Reserves Fund, State Street Cash Reserves Portfolio, State Street Conservative Income Fund, State Street Conservative Income Portfolio, State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund, State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio, State Street Current Yield Fund, State Street Current Yield Portfolio, State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund and State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 175 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 20, 2015. | |
(8) | Notice to the Distribution Agreement related to the State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund, State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(f) | Not applicable. | |
(g)(1) | Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 9+ to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2002. |
(2) | Notice dated February 14, 2002 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008. | |
(3) | Notice dated February 12, 2004 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 30, 2008. | |
(4) | Notice dated July 22, 2008 to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund and the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(5) | Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index Portfolio, State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund, State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund and State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund is filed herewith. | |
(6) | Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Global Macro Absolute Return Fund and State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(7) | Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Global Value Spotlight Fund, State Street International Value Spotlight Fund, State Street European Value Spotlight Fund and State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(8) | Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Income Allocation Fund, State Street Multi-Asset Real Return Fund, and State Street Global Allocation Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(9) | Notice to Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement dated February 14, 2001 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund is Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on May 26, 2015. |
(1)(e) | Notice dated February 12, 2004 to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009. | |
(1)(f) | Notice to Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Global Value Spotlight Fund, State Street International Value Spotlight Fund, State Street European Value Spotlight Fund and State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(1)(g) | Notice to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to the State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 30, 2015. | |
(1)(h) | Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust is incorporated herein by reference to the Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 30, 2015. | |
(1)(i) | Amended Schedule A dated January 1, 2016 to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust to be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(1)(j) | Amended Schedule A to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund, State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(1)(k) | Notice to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement dated February 28, 2000 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust with respect to State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio is filed herewith. | |
(2)(a) | Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SSGA Funds Management, Inc., SSGA Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Master Funds is filed herewith. | |
(2)(b) | Amended Schedule A dated February 16, 2016 to the Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between SSGA Funds Management, Inc. and the Trust with respect to the State Street Global Value Spotlight Fund, State Street International Value Spotlight Fund, State Street European Value Spotlight Fund, State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund, State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund and State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund is filed herewith. | |
(2)(c) | Sub-Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 175 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 20, 2015. |
(2)(d) | Notice to Sub-Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. with respect to the State Street Global Value Spotlight Fund, State Street International Value Spotlight Fund, State Street European Value Spotlight Fund and State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(2)(e) | Notice to Sub-Administration Agreement dated June 1, 2015 between State Street Bank and Trust Company and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. with respect the State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund, State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(3) | Form of Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2006. | |
(4) | Form of Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 17 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 28, 2006. | |
(5) | Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(5) | Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(6) | Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 24, 2008. | |
(7) | Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and Henderson Global Funds dated April 20, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 30 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2009. | |
(8) | Information Security Program Agreement dated November 19, 2010 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 33 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on April 29, 2011. | |
(9) | Plan of Liquidation and Termination relating to the State Street Tax Free Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 175 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 20, 2015. |
(10) | Master-Feeder Participation Agreement between State Street Master Funds and the Trust with respect to the State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund and State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(i)(1) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP is incorporated herein by reference to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 1 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission in September 2000. | |
(2) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 13, 2002. | |
(3) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the Class R Shares of the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 15 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on June 3, 2005. | |
(4) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Limited Duration Bond Fund and State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 23 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 6, 2007. | |
(5) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to State Street Institutional Investment Trust and the State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014. | |
(6) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio and State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 59 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on July 11, 2014. | |
(7) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 9, 2015. | |
(8) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the Institutional Class, Investor Class and Administration Class shares of the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional |
U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund and State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 54 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on June 24, 2014. | ||
(9) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 71 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on October 8, 2014. | |
(10) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund and State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 77 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on November 5, 2014. | |
(11) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to Class G shares of the State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 66 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 9, 2014. | |
(12) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Global Value Spotlight Fund, State Street International Value Spotlight Fund, State Street European Value Spotlight Fund and State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(13) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Income Allocation Fund, State Street Multi-Asset Real Return Fund, and State Street Global Allocation Fund will be filed by subsequent amendment. | |
(14) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund and State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 104 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on May 6, 2015. | |
(15) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund and State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 133 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on August 7, 2015. | |
(16) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 137 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on August 28, 2015. | |
(17) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund and State Street 60 Day Money Market Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 151 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 30, 2015. | |
(18) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Cash Reserves Fund and State Street Cash Reserves Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 152 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 30, 2015. |
(19) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Conservative Income Fund and State Street Conservative Income Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 153 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 30, 2015. | |
(20) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund and State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 154 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 30, 2015. | |
(21) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Current Yield Fund and State Street Current Yield Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 155 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 30, 2015. | |
(22) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund and State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 156 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on September 30, 2015. | |
(23) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 196 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 18, 2016. | |
(24) | Legal Opinion of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 197 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 18, 2016. | |
(j) | Consent of Ernst & Young LLP is filed herewith. | |
(k) | Not applicable. | |
(l) | Not applicable. | |
(m)(1) | Amended and Restated Rule 12b-1 Plan is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on May 26, 2015. | |
(2) | Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan for Service Class effective May 14, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010. | |
(3) | Amended Shareholder Servicing Plan for Investment Class effective May 14, 2009 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 31 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 25, 2010. |
(n)(1) | Amended and Restated Plan Pursuant to Rule 18f-3 under the Investment Company Act of 1940 is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 111 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on May 26, 2015. | |
(o)(1) | Power of Attorney as it relates to the Registrant is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 196 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 18, 2016. | |
(2) | Power of Attorney as it relates to the State Street Disciplined Global Equity Portfolio, a series of SSGA Active Trust, is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 200 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on February 26, 2016. | |
(p)(1) | Joint Code of Ethics governing the Registrant is filed herewith. | |
(2) | Code of Ethics of CBRE Clarion Securities LLC is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 9, 2015. | |
(q)(1) | Financial Statements for the fiscal years ending December 31, 2012 and December 31, 2013 for CBRE Clarion Global Listed Infrastructure Fund, LP are incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 9, 2015. | |
(2) | Portfolio of Investments dated October 31, 2014 for the CBRE Clarion Global Listed Infrastructure Fund, LP is incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 85 to the State Street Institutional Investment Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A filed with the Commission on January 9, 2015. |
+ | Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 was filed with the Commission on January 30, 2002. The next Post-Effective Amendment, filed on April 30, 2002, should have been sequentially numbered Post-Effective Amendment No. 9. Due to a scriveners error, it was numbered Post-Effective Amendment No. 10. Such Post-Effective Amendment has been referred to in this Part C as Post-Effective Amendment No. 9. |
Item 29. | Persons Controlled By or Under Common Control with the Fund |
See the Statement of Additional Information regarding the Trusts control relationships.
Item 30. | Indemnification |
Under the terms of Registrants Amended and Restated Declaration of Trust, Article VIII, Registrant is required, subject to certain exceptions and limitations, to indemnify each of its Trustees and officers, including persons who serve at the Registrants request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Registrant has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise who may be indemnified by Registrant under the Investment Company Act of 1940.
Item 31. | Business and Other Connections of the Investment Adviser |
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. serves as the investment adviser for each series of the Trust. CBRE Clarion Securities LLC serves as investment sub-adviser for State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund and State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund.
See Management in the applicable Prospectus and Management of the Trust in the applicable Statement of Additional Information for information regarding the business of SSGA Funds Management Inc. and CBRE Clarion Securities LLC. Information as to the directors and officers of the Adviser and CBRE Clarion Securities LLC is included in its Form ADV filed with the SEC and is incorporated herein by reference thereto.
Item 32. | Principal Underwriter |
(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, SPDR Index Shares Funds, State Street Master Funds, and SSgA Funds.
(b) To the best of Registrants knowledge, the directors and executive officers of State Street Global Markets, LLC, are as follows:
Nicholas Bonn | Chief Executive Officer and Director | |
Christopher P. Jensen | FINOP and Chief Financial Officer and Director | |
Howard Fairweather | Director | |
Stephan Gavell | Director | |
Mark Snyder | Executive Vice President and Director | |
R. Bryan Woodard | Senior Vice President, Chief Legal Counsel and Secretary | |
James Ross | Executive Vice President and Director | |
Martine Bond | Executive Vice President and Director |
* | The principal business address for each of the above directors and executive officers is 1 Lincoln Street, Boston, MA 02111. |
Item 33. | Location of Accounts and Records |
The accounts and records of the Trust are located, in whole or in part, at the office of the Trust and the following locations:
State Street Institutional Investment Trust (Trust)
100 Huntingtin Ave, 5 th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (Adviser)
State Street Financial Center
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
SSGA Funds Management, Inc. serves as the Administrator for all Funds and Portfolios.
State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Sub-Administrator for all Funds and Portfolios.
State Street Bank and Trust Company serves as the Custodian, Transfer Agent and Dividend Disbursing Agent) for all Funds, except not the Transfer Agent/Dividend Disbursing Agent for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, the State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, and State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund, State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund, State Street Global Value Spotlight Fund, State Street International Value Spotlight Fund, State Street European Value Spotlight Fund and State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund, State Street Income Allocation Fund, State Street Multi-Asset Real Return Fund, State Street Global Allocation Fund, State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund, State Street Cash Reserves Fund, State Street Conservative Income Fund, State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund, State Street Current Yield Fund, State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund, State Street Macro Absolute Return Bond Fund, State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund
State Street Bank and Trust Company
100 Huntingtin Ave, 5 th Floor
Boston, MA 02116
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc. serves as the Transfer Agent/Dividend Disbursing Agent for the State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Limited Duration Bond Fund, State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Investment Trust, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, and State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Strategic Real Return Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund, State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund, State Street Global Value Spotlight Fund, State Street International Value Spotlight Fund, State Street European Value Spotlight Fund, State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund, the State Street Income Allocation Fund, State Street Multi-Asset Real Return Fund, State Street Global Allocation Fund, State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund, State Street Cash Reserves Fund, State Street Conservative Income Fund, State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund, State Street Current Yield Fund, State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund, State Street Macro Absolute Return Bond Fund, State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund, State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund and State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund
Boston Financial Data Services, Inc.
2000 Crown Colony Drive
Quincy, Massachusetts 02169
Item 34. | Management Services |
Not applicable.
Item 35. | Undertakings |
Not applicable.
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act) and the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, the Registrant, State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Trust) certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this amendment to the Trusts registration statement under Rule 485(b) under the 1933 Act and has duly caused this Amendment to the Trusts Registration Statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereto duly authorized, in the City of Boston and Commonwealth of Massachusetts on this 29 th day of April 2016.
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST | ||
By: |
/s/ Ellen M. Needham |
|
Ellen M. Needham | ||
President |
Pursuant to the requirements of the 1933 Act, as amended, this Registration Statement for the Trust has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities indicated on the 29 th day of April 2016:
Signature |
Signature |
|||
/s/ William L. Boyan* William L. Boyan, Trustee |
/s/ James E. Ross* James E. Ross, Trustee |
|||
/s/ Michael F. Holland* |
/s/ Richard D. Shirk* |
|||
Michael F. Holland, Trustee | Richard D. Shirk, Trustee | |||
/s/ William L. Marshall* William L. Marshall, Trustee |
/s/ Rina K. Spence* Rina K. Spence, Trustee |
|||
/s/ Patrick J. Riley* Patrick J. Riley, Trustee |
/s/ Bruce D. Taber* Bruce D. Taber, Trustee |
|||
/s/ Bruce S. Rosenberg Bruce S. Rosenberg, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer |
/s/ Douglas T. Williams* Douglas T. Williams, Trustee |
|||
/s/ Ellen M. Needham Ellen M. Needham, President and Principal Executive Officer |
||||
/s/ Kristin Schantz *By: Kristin Schantz Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Powers of Attorney |
SIGNATURES
This Registration Statement contains certain disclosures regarding the State Street International Developed Equity Index Portfolio, State Street Money Market Portfolio, State Street U.S. Government Money Market Portfolio, State Street Treasury Money Market Portfolio and State Street Treasury Plus Money Market Portfolio (the Portfolios), series of State Street Master Funds (the Trust). The Trust has, subject to the next following sentence, duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Registration Statement on Form N-1A of State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Registrant) to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on April 29, 2016. The Trust is executing this Registration Statement only in respect of the disclosures contained herein specifically describing the Trust and the Portfolios, and hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability as to any other disclosures in this Registration Statement.
STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS | ||
By: |
/s/ Ellen M. Needham |
|
Ellen M. Needham | ||
President, State Street Master Funds |
This Registration Statement on Form N-1A of the Registrant has been signed below by the following persons, solely in the capacities indicated and subject to the next following sentence, on April 29, 2016. Each of the following persons is signing this Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to this Registration Statement only in respect of the disclosures contained herein specifically describing the Trust and the Portfolios, and hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability as to any other disclosures in this Registration Statement.
Signature |
Signature |
|||
/s/ William L. Boyan* |
/s/ James E. Ross* |
|||
William L. Boyan, Trustee | James E. Ross, Trustee | |||
/s/ Michael F. Holland* |
/s/ Richard D. Shirk* |
|||
Michael F. Holland, Trustee | Richard D. Shirk, Trustee | |||
/s/ William L. Marshall* |
/s/ Rina K. Spence* |
|||
William L. Marshall, Trustee | Rina K. Spence, Trustee | |||
/s/ Patrick J. Riley* |
/s/ Bruce D. Taber* |
|||
Patrick J. Riley, Trustee | Bruce D. Taber, Trustee | |||
/s/ Bruce S. Rosenberg |
/s/ Douglas T. Williams* |
|||
Bruce S. Rosenberg, Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer | Douglas T. Williams, Trustee | |||
/s/ Ellen M. Needham |
||||
Ellen M. Needham, President and Principal Executive Officer | ||||
/s/ Kristin Schantz |
||||
*By: Kristin Schantz Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Powers of Attorney |
SIGNATURES
This Registration Statement contains certain disclosures regarding the State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Portfolio and State Street Disciplined Global Equity Portfolio (the Portfolios), series of SSGA Active Trust (the Trust). The Trust has, subject to the next following sentence, duly caused this Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 to the Registration Statement on Form N- 1A of State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Registrant) to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized, in the City of Boston and the Commonwealth of Massachusetts on April 29, 2016. The Trust is executing this Registration Statement only in respect of the disclosures contained herein specifically describing the Trust and the Portfolios, and hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability as to any other disclosures in this Registration Statement.
SSGA Active Trust | ||
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: Each of the following persons is signing this Amendment to the Registration Statement only in respect of the disclosures contained herein specifically describing the Trust and the Portfolio, and hereby disclaims any responsibility or liability as to any other disclosures in this Registration Statement.
SIGNATURES | TITLE | DATE | ||
/s/ Bonny E. Boatman* |
Trustee | April 29, 2016 | ||
Bonny E. Boatman | ||||
/s/ Dwight D. Churchill* |
Trustee | April 29, 2016 | ||
Dwight D. Churchill | ||||
/s/ David M. Kelly* |
Trustee | April 29, 2016 | ||
David M. Kelly | ||||
/s/ Frank Nesvet* |
Trustee | April 29, 2016 | ||
Frank Nesvet | ||||
/s/ Carl G. Verboncoeur* |
Trustee | April 29, 2016 | ||
Carl G. Verboncoeur | ||||
/s/ James E. Ross* |
Trustee | April 29, 2016 | ||
James E. Ross | ||||
/s/ Ellen M. Needham |
President and Principal Executive Officer | April 29, 2016 | ||
Ellen M. Needham | ||||
/s/ Bruce S. Rosenberg |
Treasurer and Principal Financial Officer | April 29, 2016 | ||
Bruce S. Rosenberg |
*By: |
/s/ Christopher A. Madden |
|
Christopher A. Madden | ||
As Attorney-in-Fact Pursuant to Power of Attorney |
EXHIBIT INDEX
AMENDED AND RESTATED INVESTMENT ADVISORY AGREEMENT
BETWEEN
SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC.
AND
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST
This Agreement is made as of this 17 th day of November, 2015, between State Street Institutional Investment Trust, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), and SSGA Funds Management, Inc., a Massachusetts corporation (the Adviser).
WHEREAS, the Trust is an open-end management investment company registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act);
WHEREAS, the Adviser is in the business of providing investment advisory services; and
WHEREAS, the Trust desires to retain the Adviser to render investment advisory services to the Trust with respect to each of its series of beneficial interest named on Appendices A and B, as each appendix may be amended by the parties from time to time (each, a Fund), and the Adviser is willing to render such services;
NOW, THEREFORE, in consideration of the mutual agreements contained herein, the Trust and Adviser agree as follows:
1. APPOINTMENT OF ADVISER.
(a) The Trust hereby appoints the Adviser to act as investment adviser to the Funds for the period and on the terms set forth in this Agreement. The Adviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided. The Trust warrants that the Adviser has been duly appointed to act hereunder.
(b) If the Trust at any time establishes one or more series other than the Funds already listed in Appendices A and B at the time with respect to which it desires to retain the Adviser to render investment advisory services hereunder, it shall so notify the Adviser. If the Adviser is willing to render such services, then the Trust and the Adviser shall amend Appendix B to include such Fund, and such series shall thereupon become a Fund under this Agreement. The compensation payable by any such new Fund to the Adviser shall be set forth on Appendix B.
2. ADVISORY DUTIES. Subject to the supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust (the Board), the Adviser shall manage the investment operations and determine the composition of the portfolio of each Fund, including the purchase, retention and disposition of the securities and other instruments held by the Fund, in accordance with such Funds investment objective and policies as stated in the then current prospectus and Statement of Additional Information for such Fund contained in the Trusts Registration Statement on Form N-1A (the Registration Statement), as such prospectus and Statement of Additional Information are
amended or supplemented from time to time. The Advisers duties hereunder are subject to the following understandings:
(a) The Adviser shall provide supervision of investments, furnish a continuous investment program for the Funds, determine from time to time what investments or securities will be purchased, retained or sold by the Funds, and what portion of the assets will be invested or held uninvested as cash;
(b) The Adviser, in the performance of its duties and obligations under this Agreement, shall act in conformity with the Trusts Declaration of Trust, By-Laws, Registration Statement, and with the instructions and directions of the Board, provided, however, the Adviser shall not be responsible for acting contrary to any of the foregoing that are changed without notice of such change to the Adviser; and the Adviser shall conform to and comply with the applicable requirements of the 1940 Act and all other applicable federal or state laws and regulations;
(c) The Adviser shall promptly communicate to the officers and Trustees of the Trust such information relating to transactions of the Funds as they may reasonably request. On occasions when the Adviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of a Fund as well as other clients, the Adviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased, provided that all accounts are treated equitably and fairly. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transactions, shall be made by the Adviser in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Trust and to such other clients;
(d) The Adviser shall maintain books and records with respect to the Trusts securities transactions and shall render to the Board such periodic and special reports as the Board may reasonably request;
(e) The Adviser shall provide the Trust with a list of all securities transactions as reasonably requested by the Trust;
(f) The investment advisory services of the Adviser to the Trust under this Agreement are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Adviser shall be free to render similar services to others.
(g) With respect to any Fund of the Trust, for so long as all investable assets of the Fund are invested in a Portfolio of the State Street Master Trust or another investment company with substantially the same investment objectives and policies as the Fund (a Master Fund), the Advisers duties with respect to that Fund shall be to monitor the services of the Master Fund to determine if an investment in the Master Fund remains appropriate.
3. EXECUTION AND ALLOCATION OF PORTFOLIO BROKERAGE COMMISSIONS. The Adviser, subject to and in accordance with any directions which the Board may issue from time to time, shall place, in the name of the Trust, orders for the execution of the securities transactions in which any Fund is authorized to invest. When placing such orders, the primary
2
objective of the Adviser shall be to obtain the best net price and execution (best execution) for the Trust but this requirement shall not be deemed to obligate the Adviser to place any order solely on the basis of obtaining the lowest commission rate if the other standards set forth in this section have been satisfied. The Trust recognizes that there are likely to be many cases in which different brokers are equally able to provide such best execution and that, in selection among such brokers with respect to particular trades, it is desirable to choose those brokers who furnish brokerage and research services (as defined in Section 28(e)(3) of the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934) or statistical quotations and other information to the Trust and/or the Adviser in accordance with the standards set forth below. Moreover, to the extent that it continues to be lawful to do so and so long as the Board determines as a matter of general policy that the Trust and the respective Funds will benefit, directly or indirectly, by doing so, the Adviser may place orders with a broker who charges a higher commission than another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction, provided that the excess commission is reasonable in relation to the value of brokerage and research services provided by that broker. Accordingly, the Trust and the Adviser agree that the Adviser shall select brokers for the execution of any Funds securities transactions from among:
(a) Those brokers and dealers who provide brokerage and research services, or statistical quotations and other information to the Trust, specifically including the quotations necessary to determine the Trusts net assets, in such amount of total brokerage as may reasonably be required in light of such services.
(b) Those brokers and dealers who provide brokerage and research services to the Adviser which relate directly to portfolio securities, actual or potential, of the Trust, or which place the Adviser in a better position to make decisions in connection with the management of the Trusts assets, whether or not such data may also be useful to the Adviser in managing other portfolios or advising other clients, in such amount of total brokerage as may reasonably be required.
The Adviser agrees that no investment decision will be made or influenced by a desire to provide brokerage for allocation in accordance with the foregoing, and that the right to make such allocation of brokerage shall not interfere with the Advisers primary duty to obtain the best execution for the Trust.
4. BOOKS AND RECORDS. The Adviser shall keep the Trusts books and records required to be maintained by it pursuant to paragraph 2(d) hereof. The Adviser agrees that all records which it maintains for the Trust are the property of the Trust and it shall surrender promptly to the Trust any of such records upon the Trusts request. The Adviser further agrees to preserve for the periods prescribed by Rule 31a-2 of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the Commission) under the 1940 Act any such records as are required to be maintained by Rule 31a-1(f) of the Commission under the 1940 Act. Nothing herein shall prevent the Adviser from maintaining its own records as required by law, which may be a duplication of the Trusts records.
5. REPORTS TO ADVISER. The Trust agrees to furnish the Adviser at its principal office all prospectuses, proxy statements, reports to stockholders, sales literature or other material prepared for distribution to shareholders of the Trust or the public, which refer in any way to the Adviser, if reasonably practicable ten (10) days prior to use thereof and not to use such material
3
if the Adviser should object thereto in writing within seven (7) days after receipt of such material; provided, however, that the Adviser hereby approves all uses of its name which merely refer in accurate terms to its appointment as investment adviser hereunder, which merely identifies the Trust, or which are required by the Commission or a state securities commission. In the event of termination of this Agreement, the Trust shall, on written request of the Adviser, forthwith delete any reference to the Adviser from any materials described in the preceding sentence. The Trust shall furnish or otherwise make available to the Adviser such other information relating to the business affairs of the Trust as the Adviser at any time, or from time to time, reasonably requests in order to discharge its obligations hereunder.
6. PROXIES. Unless the Trust gives written instructions to the contrary, the Adviser shall vote or not vote all proxies solicited by or with respect to the issuers of securities in which assets of any Fund may be invested. The Adviser shall use its best good faith judgment to vote or not vote such proxies in a manner which best serves the interests of the Trusts shareholders. The Trust has received and reviewed the proxy guidelines of the Adviser which indicate how the Adviser will vote.
7. EXPENSES. During the term of this Agreement, the Adviser shall pay all of its own expenses incurred by it in connection with its activities under this Agreement. Each Fund of the Trust shall bear all expenses that are incurred in its operation except as provided in the Administration Agreement between State Street Bank and Trust Company and the Trust dated February 28, 2000. Said expenses to be borne by each Fund of the Trust will include, but not be limited to, the following (or the Funds proportionate share of the following): (a) brokerage commissions relating to securities purchased or sold by the Fund or any losses incurred in connection therewith; (b) fees payable to and expenses incurred on behalf of the Fund by the Trusts administrator; (c) expenses of organizing the Trust and the Fund; (d) fees and expenses of registering and maintaining the registration of the Funds shares and the Trust under federal securities laws and making and maintaining any notice filings required under any state securities laws; (e) fees and salaries payable to the Trusts Trustees and officers who are not officers or employees of the Adviser or any underwriter of the Trust; (f) taxes (including any income or franchise taxes) and governmental fees; (g) costs of any liability, uncollectible items of deposit and other insurance or fidelity bonds; (h) any costs, expenses or losses arising out of any liability of or claim for damage or other relief asserted against the Trust or the Fund for violation of any law; (i) legal, accounting and auditing expenses, including legal fees of special counsel for the independent Trustees, if any; (j) charges of custodians, transfer agents and other agents; (k) costs of preparing share certificates (if any); (l) expenses of setting in type and printing prospectuses and Statements of Additional Information and supplements thereto for existing shareholders, reports and statements to shareholders and proxy material; (m) any extraordinary expenses (including fees and disbursements of counsel) incurred by the Trust or the Fund; and (n) fees and other expenses incurred in connection with membership in investment company organizations.
8. COMPENSATION OF THE ADVISER.
As compensation for the services performed with respect to each Fund, the Trust shall pay the Adviser, a management fee computed at an annual rate specified in Appendices A or B (each, as amended from time to time) of the average daily net assets of such Fund.
4
9. LIMITATION OF ADVISERS LIABILITY. In the absence of (a) willful misfeasance, bad faith or gross negligence on the part of the Adviser in performance of its obligations and duties hereunder, (b) reckless disregard by the Adviser of its obligations and duties hereunder, or (c) a loss resulting from a breach of fiduciary duty with respect to the receipt of compensation for services (in which case, any award of damages shall be limited to the period and the amount set forth in Section 36(b)(3) of the 1940 Act), the Adviser shall not be subject to any liability whatsoever to the Trust, or to any shareholder of the Trust, for any error of judgment, mistake of law or any other act or omission in the course of, or connected with, rendering services hereunder including, without limitation, for any losses that may be sustained in connection with the purchase, holding, redemption or sale of any security on behalf of the Trust.
10. DURATION AND TERMINATION.
(a) This Agreement, unless sooner terminated as provided herein, shall continue for each Fund for two years following the effective date of this Agreement with respect to the Fund, and thereafter shall continue for periods of one year so long as such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (a) by the vote of a majority of those members of the Board who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting such approval, and (b) by the Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act.
(b) This Agreement may be terminated by the Trust at any time, without the payment of any penalty, by the Board or by the majority vote of either the entire Board or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund (in accordance with the provisions of the 1940 Act) on 60 days written notice to the Adviser. This Agreement may also be terminated by the Adviser on 90 days written notice to the Trust. This Agreement will automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act and the rules thereunder).
11. CHOICE OF LAW. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with the laws of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and any applicable federal law.
12. LIMITATION OF LIABILITY. The Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated April 14, 2014, as amended (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 name State Street Institutional Investment 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 interest holders, 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.
5
13. NO THIRD PARTY BENEFICIARIES. No person other than the Trust and the Adviser is a party to this Agreement or shall be entitled to any right or benefit arising under or in respect of this Agreement; there are no third-party beneficiaries of this Agreement. Without limiting the generality of the foregoing, nothing in this Agreement is intended to, or shall be read to, (i) create in any person other than the Fund in question (including without limitation any shareholder in any Fund) any direct, indirect, derivative, or other rights against the Adviser, or (ii) create or give rise to any duty or obligation on the part of the Adviser (including without limitation any fiduciary duty) to any person other than the Fund in question, all of which rights, benefits, duties, and obligations are hereby expressly excluded. This paragraph 13 shall be effective only as to the Funds listed in Appendix B to this Agreement; provided, however, that the fact that this paragraph 13 does not by its terms apply to any other Fund shall not give rise to any inference that the intention of the parties reflected in this paragraph 13 as to Funds listed in Appendix B was not the intention of the parties at the time this Agreement was entered into with respect to such other Fund.
14. EXCLUISVE FORUM. Exclusive jurisdiction over any action, suit, or proceeding under, arising out of, or relating to this Agreement shall lie in the federal and state courts within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, and each party hereby waives any objection it may have at any time to the laying of venue of any such proceedings brought in any such courts, waives any claim that such proceedings have been brought in an inconvenient forum, and further waives the right to object, with respect to such proceedings, that such court does not have jurisdiction over that party. This paragraph 14 shall be effective only as to the Funds listed in Appendix B to this Agreement.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the due execution hereof as of the date first above written.
Attest: | STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST | |||||||
By: |
/s/ David James |
By: |
/s/ Bruce Rosenberg |
|||||
Name: | Bruce Rosenberg | |||||||
Title: | Treasurer | |||||||
Attest: | SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC. | |||||||
By: |
/s/ David James |
By: |
/s/ Ellen M. Needham |
|||||
Name: | Ellen M. Needham | |||||||
Title: | Senior Managing Director |
6
Appendix A
The Adviser is entitled to receive, on a monthly basis, an investment advisory fee as follows:
Fund |
Fee Rate (percentage of
average daily net assets) |
|
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund |
0.03% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund |
0.06% | |
State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund |
0.85% | |
State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund |
0.14% | |
State Street Target Retirement Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
0.05% |
As consideration for the Advisers services to the State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund, the Adviser shall receive from the Fund a 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 percentage of the Funds average daily net assets during the month, less the proportional amount of the advisory fee of an investment company the shares of which are the only investment security held by the Fund.
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund |
0.90% |
For so long as substantially all of the assets of each Fund listed below are invested in the corresponding Portfolio of State Street Master Funds, no fees shall be received for the services to be rendered by the Adviser under this Agreement; otherwise, the Adviser shall receive fees, payable monthly, at the following annual rates (expressed as a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund):
State Street Equity 500 Index Fund |
0.02% |
For so long as substantially all of the assets of each of the following Funds are invested in the corresponding Portfolio of State Street Master Funds or another investment company with essentially the same investment objectives and policies as such Funds, no payment for services is
7
rendered pursuant to the Agreement; otherwise, the Adviser shall be entitled to receive fees, payable monthly, at the following annual rates (expressed as a percentage of the average daily net assets of each Fund):
State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Institutional Tax Free Money Market Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund |
0.05% |
8
Appendix B
The Adviser is entitled to receive, on a monthly basis, an investment advisory fee as follows:
Fund |
Annual Fee Rate (expressed as
a Fund percentage of net assets) |
|
State Street Strategic Real Return Fund |
0.20% | |
State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
1.15% | |
State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund |
0.95% | |
State Street Global Macro Absolute Return Fund |
1.20% | |
State Street Macro Absolute Return Bond Fund |
0.80% | |
State Street Green Bond Fund |
0.35% | |
State Street ESG Emerging Markets Fund |
0.55% | |
State Street Income Allocation Fund |
0.45% | |
State Street Multi-Asset Real Return Fund |
0.45% | |
State Street Global Allocation Fund |
0.45% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund |
0.03% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund |
0.11% | |
State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund |
0.14% | |
State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund |
0.08% | |
State Street 60 Day Money Market Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Cash Reserves Fund |
0.10% | |
State Street Cash Reserves Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Conservative Income Fund |
0.10% | |
State Street Conservative Income Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Current Yield Fund |
0.00% | |
State Street Current Yield Portfolio |
0.08% | |
State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund |
0.25% | |
State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund |
0.75% | |
State Street Global Value Spotlight Fund |
0.75% | |
State Street International Value Spotlight Fund |
0.75% | |
State Street European Value Spotlight Fund |
0.75% | |
State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund |
0.75% |
As consideration for the Advisers services to the State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund (formerly, State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund), the Adviser shall receive from the Fund a 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 percentage of the Funds average daily net assets during the month, less the proportional amount of the advisory fee of an investment company the shares of which are the only investment security held by the Fund.
State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund |
0.75% |
9
Amended and Restated
Appendix B
to the
Amended and Restated Investment Advisory Agreement
Effective as of February 16, 2016
The Adviser is entitled to receive, on a monthly basis, an investment advisory fee as follows:
Fund |
Annual Fee Rate (expressed as
a Fund percentage of net assets) |
|
State Street Strategic Real Return Fund |
0.20% | |
State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
1.15% | |
State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund |
0.95% | |
State Street Global Macro Absolute Return Fund |
1.20% | |
State Street Macro Absolute Return Bond Fund |
0.80% | |
State Street Green Bond Fund |
0.35% | |
State Street ESG Emerging Markets Fund |
0.55% | |
State Street Income Allocation Fund |
0.45% | |
State Street Multi-Asset Real Return Fund |
0.45% | |
State Street Global Allocation Fund |
0.45% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund |
0.03% | |
State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund |
0.11% | |
State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund |
0.14% | |
State Street 60 Day Money Market Fund |
0.08% | |
State Street 60 Day Money Market Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Cash Reserves Fund |
0.10% | |
State Street Cash Reserves Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Conservative Income Fund |
0.10% | |
State Street Conservative Income Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Fund |
0.05% | |
State Street Institutional Liquid Assets Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Current Yield Fund |
0.00% | |
State Street Current Yield Portfolio |
0.08% | |
State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Fund |
0.25% | |
State Street Ultra Short Term Bond Portfolio |
0.00% | |
State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund |
0.75% | |
State Street Global Value Spotlight Fund |
0.75% | |
State Street International Value Spotlight Fund |
0.75% | |
State Street European Value Spotlight Fund |
0.75% | |
State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund |
0.75% | |
State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund |
0.65% |
As consideration for the Advisers services to the State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund (formerly, State Street Global Managed Volatility Fund), the Adviser shall receive from the Fund a 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 percentage of the Funds average daily net assets during the month, less the proportional amount of the advisory fee of an investment company the shares of which are the only investment security held by the Fund.
State Street Disciplined Global Equity Fund |
0.75% |
This Appendix B is hereby amended and restated to add State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund as a Fund under the Agreement, effective as of the 16th day of February, 2016.
Attest: | STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST | |||||||
By: |
/s/ David James |
By: |
/s/ Bruce Rosenberg |
|||||
Name: | Bruce Rosenberg | |||||||
Title: | Treasurer | |||||||
Attest: | SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC. | |||||||
By: |
/s/ David James |
By: |
/s/ Ellen M. Needham |
|||||
Name: | Ellen M. Needham | |||||||
Title: | Senior Managing Director |
2
State Street Institutional Investment Trust
100 Huntington Avenue
CPH0326
Boston, MA 02116
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
June 19, 2014
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Amended and Restated Custodian Agreement between us dated February 14, 2001 (the Custody Agreement).
Pursuant to the Custody Agreement, this letter is to provide notice of the creation of additional series of the State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Trust, and each new series thereof, a New Fund, and collectively, the New Funds):
State Street Target Retirement Fund |
State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund |
State Street Opportunistic Emerging Markets Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund |
State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund |
State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund |
State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2035 Fund |
State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2040 Fund |
State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2045 Fund |
State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2050 Fund |
State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio |
|
State Street Target Retirement 2055 Fund |
We request that you act as the New Funds Custodian under the Custody Agreement. As compensation for such services, you shall be entitled to receive from each New Fund the annual fee reflected on the fee schedule to the Custody Agreement.
Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by executing two copies of this letter, returning one to the Trust and retaining one copy for your records.
Very truly yours, | ||
State Street Institutional Investment Trust | ||
By: |
/s/ David James |
|
David James, Secretary | ||
Accepted: | ||
State Street Bank and Trust Company | ||
By: |
/s/ Michael F. Rogers |
|
Michael F. Rogers, Executive Vice President |
State Street Institutional Investment Trust
100 Huntington Avenue
CPH0326
Boston, MA 02116
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Transfer Agency and Service Agreement between State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Trust) and State Street Bank and Trust Company (State Street) dated February 28, 2000 (the Agreement). Pursuant to the Agreement, State Street serves as the Transfer Agent for the Trust.
Please be advised that the undersigned Trust has established four additional series of the Trust (each, a New Portfolio and collectively, the New Portfolios):
| State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Portfolio |
| State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio |
| State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio |
| State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio |
We request that you act as the Transfer Agent under the respective Agreement with respect to the New Portfolios in accordance with the existing fee schedule to the Agreement.
Additionally, please be advised that, with respect to the State Street Equity 500 Index Fund (the Equity 500 Fund), the undersigned Trust has terminated its agreement with State Street. Effective August 8, 2014 State Street will no longer serve as the Transfer Agent for the Equity 500 Fund.
Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by executing two copies of this letter, returning one to the Trust and retaining one copy for your records.
Very Truly Yours,
State Street Institutional Investment Trust | ||
By: |
/s/ Ellen Needham |
|
Ellen Needham, President, Duly Authorized | ||
State Street Bank and Trust Company | ||
By: |
/s/ Michael F. Rogers |
|
Michael F. Rogers, Executive Vice President |
Date: June 19, 2014
SSGA / SSIIT / SSMF
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 SSGA Funds, State Street Institutional Investment Trust and State Street Master Funds, each a Massachusetts business trust (each a Trust and together the Trusts ).
WHEREAS, each 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/or the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act ); and
WHEREAS, each Trust desires to retain the Administrator to furnish certain administrative services to such 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 |
Each Trust hereby appoints the Administrator to act as administrator to such 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 each Trust for the acts and omissions of any such person or persons as it is for its own acts and omissions.
Each Trust currently consists of the Funds and their respective classes of shares 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 Fund, 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 a Trust and the 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.
SSGA / SSIIT / SSMF
2. | D ELIVERY OF D OCUMENTS |
Each 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 Master Trust Agreement or Declaration of Trust (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 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 each 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. |
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4. | R EPRESENTATIONS AND W ARRANTIES OF THE T RUST |
Each Trust represents and warrants to the Administrator that:
a. | It is a statutory 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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SSGA / SSIIT / SSMF
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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SSGA / SSIIT / SSMF
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 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; |
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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SSGA / SSIIT / SSMF
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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SSGA / SSIIT / SSMF
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; |
ff. | Prepare for posting on the Funds website each money market funds monthly schedule of portfolio investments; |
gg. | Prepare and coordinate each money market funds monthly filing of Form N-MFP; |
Fund Administration Legal Services
hh. | 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; |
ii. | 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. |
jj. | 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; |
kk. | Compile and maintain the Trusts Trustees and Officers Questionnaires; |
ll. | 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; |
mm. | 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; |
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nn. | 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; |
oo. | Maintain general Board calendars and regulatory filings calendars; |
pp. | Maintain copies of the Trusts Declaration of Trust and By-Laws. |
qq. | Act as liaison to Fund Counsel and counsel to the Independent Trustees; |
rr. | 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; |
ss. | 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; |
tt. | 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; |
uu. | Coordinate the quarterly and annual compliance reporting of the Administrator for review by the Trusts Chief Compliance Officer; |
vv. | Participate and assist in the preparation and filing of responses to inspections or examinations, where applicable, by the SEC and other regulatory authorities; |
ww. | Coordinate the printing of the prospectus and shareholder financial reports; |
xx. | Coordinate legal guidance on alternative distribution structures for the Funds shares (such as the adoption and implementation of a multiple class structure); |
yy. | 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; |
zz. | 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. |
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Fund Administration Tax Services
aaa. | Compute tax basis provisions for both excise and income tax purposes; |
bbb. | 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; |
ccc. | Coordinate Form 1099 mailings; |
ddd. | Review and approve periodic income distribution calculations, including estimates, and annual minimum distribution calculations (income and capital gain) prior to their declaration; and |
eee. | 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 each 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.
Each 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.
Each Trust will bear all expenses that are incurred in its operation and not specifically assumed by the Administratoror 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-MFP, Form N-SAR, Form N-CR, 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
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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 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-MFP, Form N-SAR and Form N-CR, 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.
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 Fund(s). 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 6, 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 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
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the Trust 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 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 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,
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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 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.
-12-
SSGA / SSIIT / SSMF
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 a Trust:
SSGA Funds /
State Street Institutional Investment Trust /
State Street Master Funds
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 |
-13-
SSGA / SSIIT / SSMF
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. |
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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SSGA / SSIIT / SSMF
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 any number of counterparts, and all of said counterparts taken together shall be deemed to constitute one and the same instrument.
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SSGA / SSIIT / SSMF
24. | L IMITATION OF L IABILITY OF THE T RUSTEES AND S HAREHOLDERS |
Reference is made to the Declaration of Trust of each Trust, a copy of which is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. It is expressly acknowledged and agreed that the obligations of the Trust hereunder shall not be binding upon any of the shareholders, Trustees or officers of the Trust, personally, but shall bind only the trust property of the Trust, as provided in the 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 the Declaration of Trust.
[Remainder of page intentionally left blank.]
-16-
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 | ||
By: |
/s/ Chad Hallett |
|
Name: | Chad Hallett | |
Title: | Treasurer | |
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST | ||
By: |
/s/ Chad Hallett |
|
Name: | Chad Hallett | |
Title: | Treasurer | |
STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS | ||
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
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
Listing of Fund(s)
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
Listing of Fund(s)
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 Disciplined Global Equity Fund (formerly, 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
A-1
SSGA / SSIIT / SSMF
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
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
-2-
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
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. |
B-1
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. |
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.
EXHIBIT 1
LIMITED POWER OF ATTORNEY
KNOW ALL MEN BY THESE PRESENTS, as of that each of SSGA FUNDS, STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST AND STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS (each, a 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.
SSGA FUNDS | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST | ||
By: |
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Name: |
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Title: |
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Exh-1
STATE STREET MASTER FUNDS | ||
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 | ||
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Notary Public | ||
State of |
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In and for the County of | ||
My Commission expires |
Exh-2
State Street Bank and Trust Company
One Lincoln Street
Boston, MA 02111
February 16, 2016
Re: State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Institutional Trust) Administration Agreement Additional Fund/Series
Ladies and Gentlemen:
Reference is made to the Administration Agreement between SSGA Funds, State Street Master Funds and State Street Institutional Investment Trust (the Trusts) and SSGA Funds Management, Inc. (the Administrator) dated June 1, 2015 (the Agreement).
In accordance with Section 1, of the Agreement, the Institutional Trust hereby requests that Administrator act as Administrator for the new Funds listed below under the terms of the Agreement. In connection with such request, the Institutional Trust hereby confirms to the Administrator, as of the date hereof, its representations and warranties set forth in Section 4 of the Agreement. The previous Schedule A is hereby deleted and replaced with the attached Schedule A.
New Fund(s)
State Street Global Value Spotlight Fund
State Street International Value Spotlight Fund
State Street European Value Spotlight Fund
State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund
State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund
State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund
Please indicate your acceptance of the foregoing by executing two copies of this letter agreement, returning one to the Fund and retaining one for your records.
Sincerely, | ||
STATE STREET INSTITUTIONAL INVESTMENT TRUST | ||
By: |
/s/ Bruce Rosenberg |
|
Name: | Bruce Rosenberg | |
Title: | Treasurer, Duly Authorized |
Agreed and Accepted: | ||
SSGA FUNDS MANAGEMENT, INC. | ||
By: |
/s/ Ellen M. Needham |
|
Name: | Ellen M. Needham | |
Title: | Senior Managing Director, Duly Authorized |
ADMINISTRATION AGREEMENT
SCHEDULE A
Listing of Fund(s)
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 Disciplined Global Equity Fund (formerly, 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
State Street Cash Reserves Portfolio
State Street Cash Reserves Fund
2
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 Global Value Spotlight Fund
State Street International Value Spotlight Fund
State Street European Value Spotlight Fund
State Street Asia Pacific Value Spotlight Fund
State Street Disciplined International Equity Fund
State Street Disciplined U.S. Equity Fund
[REDACTED]
3
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We consent to the references to our firm under the caption Financial Highlights in each Prospectus of State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund, State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund, State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, State Street Global ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street Small Cap Emerging Markets Equity Fund, State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, State Street Strategic Real Return Portfolio, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street 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, Highland Liquid Reserves Fund, Neuberger Berman Money Fund and VanEck Money Fund, and Counsel and Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm in each Statement of Additional Information in Post-Effective Amendment No. 213 to the Registration Statement (Form N-1A, No. 333-30810) of State Street Institutional Investment Trust and to the incorporation by reference of our reports dated February 26, 2016, with respect to the financial statements of State Street Aggregate Bond Index Fund, State Street Aggregate Bond Index Portfolio, State Street Clarion Global Infrastructure & MLP Fund, State Street Clarion Global Real Estate Income Fund, State Street Emerging Markets Equity Index Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index Fund, State Street Equity 500 Index II Portfolio, State Street Global Equity ex-U.S. Index Fund, State Street Global ex-U.S. Index Portfolio, State Street Hedged International Developed Equity Index Fund, State Street Institutional Liquid Reserves Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional Treasury Plus Money Market Fund, State Street Institutional U.S. Government Money Market Fund, State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Fund, State Street Small/Mid Cap Equity Index Portfolio, State Street Target Retirement Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2015 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2020 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2025 Fund, State Street Target Retirement 2030 Fund, State Street 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 and State Street Target Retirement 2060 Fund, included in the respective Annual Reports for the year or periods ended December 31, 2015.
/s/ Ernst & Young LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
April 28, 2016
|
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
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
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
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 E - Security 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 |
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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| recommending the purchase or sale of securities to which the inside information relates. |
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 Procedure - Global. Further rules apply to Covered Persons in Italy. Please see section Certification of receipt and Compliance in Appendix D as applicable to Italy.
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
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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 Procedure - Global.
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 Procedure - Global.
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.
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
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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 the Ethics 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 Procedure - Global. 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 Procedure - Global. 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; |
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| Instructions, recommendations and decisions issued as the case may be by the French Markets Authority. |
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 Procedure - Global 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 (Wertpapierhandelsgesetz - WpHG) 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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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 Employees - Covered 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 Procedure - Global 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. Short - Term 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. |
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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.
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Security Type |
Covered Security? |
Pre-clearance Required? |
Subject to Short Term Profit Prohibition? |
Transactions and
Holdings Reporting
|
||||
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. |
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Security Type |
Covered Security? |
Pre-clearance Required? |
Subject to Short Term Profit Prohibition? |
Transactions and
Holdings Reporting
|
||||
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 |
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Code of Ethics
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 |
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Code of Ethics
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 |
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Code of Ethics
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 |
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