UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

Form N-CSR

 

 

CERTIFIED SHAREHOLDER REPORT OF REGISTERED

MANAGEMENT INVESTMENT COMPANIES

Investment Company Act File Number: 811-01545

 

 

Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust

(Exact Name of Registrant as Specified in Charter)

 

 

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Address of Principal Executive Offices)

 

 

Maureen A. Gemma

Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110

(Name and Address of Agent for Services)

 

 

(617) 482-8260

(Registrant’s Telephone Number)

December 31

Date of Fiscal Year End

December 31, 2019

Date of Reporting Period

 

 

 


Item 1. Reports to Stockholders

 


LOGO

 

 

Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

Important Note. Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (eatonvance.com/funddocuments), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you are a direct investor, you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up for e-Delivery at eatonvance.com/edelivery. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you are a direct investor, you can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-262-1122. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Eaton Vance funds held directly or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.

 

LOGO


 

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current summary prospectus or prospectus. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund. This and other important information is contained in the summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial intermediary. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. For further information, please call 1-800-262-1122.


Annual Report December 31, 2019

Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

     2  

Performance

     3  

Fund Profile

     4  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     5  

Fund Expenses

     6  

Financial Statements

     7  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     20 and 32  

Federal Tax Information

     21  

Management and Organization

     33  

Important Notices

     36  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance1

 

 

Economic and Market Conditions

With virtually every U.S. equity index posting strong double-digit returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 — and bond markets solidly in the black as well — 2019 was a good year for investments.

As the new year dawned in January 2019, investors appeared to be taking a “glass is half full” approach. Although U.S. manufacturing output and business investment remained weak — held back by slowing global growth and an on-again/off-again U.S.-China trade war — strong spending by U.S. consumers and dovish remarks by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) combined to lift investor sentiment. U.S. unemployment, meanwhile, remained low and hiring remained strong.

As a result, U.S. stocks across multiple markets climbed from January through April 2019. Overseas, central banks around the world began to cut interest rates and employ other tools to stimulate their respective economies. Even a global stock pullback in May proved to be temporary, and the U.S. and global stock rallies resumed in June and July. After a down August, U.S. equities rallied again during the final months of the period, spurred by optimism about a U.S.-China trade détente and better-than-expected U.S. employment reports.

After holding interest rates steady through the first half of the year, the Fed cut its benchmark interest rate on July 31, 2019 — its first reduction in over a decade — followed by two additional rate cuts in September and October to end the period at 1.50%-1.75%. By the end of the third quarter, 60 central banks around the world had lowered their interest rates as well.

During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average®2 returned 25.34%, while the broader U.S. equity market, represented by the S&P 500® Index, returned 31.49%. The technology-laden Nasdaq Composite Index returned 36.69% during the period. Large-cap U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, generally outperformed their small-cap counterparts, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. As a group, growth stocks outpaced value stocks in both large-and small-cap categories as measured by the Russell growth and value indexes.

Fueled by the Fed rate cuts amid continued economic growth with low inflation, bond markets delivered healthy returns during the period. Interest rates fell broadly across asset classes and maturities. The yield on the benchmark 10-year Treasury declined from 2.68% at the start of the year to 1.92% at year-end. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index returned 8.72% for the period. As investors sought higher yields, both investment-grade corporate bonds and lower quality high yield securities outpaced U.S. Treasurys during the period.

Fund Performance

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Balanced Fund (the Fund) returned 23.63% for Class A shares at net asset value (NAV), underperforming its primary benchmark, the S&P 500® Index (the Index), which returned 31.49%.

At period-end, 59% of the Fund was invested in equities through Stock Portfolio, while 41% was invested in fixed-income securities through Core Bond Portfolio. In the Fund’s equity allocation, stock selections in the information technology (IT), communication services, and consumer discretionary sectors detracted from Fund performance versus the Index.

In IT, Stock Portfolio’s underweight in semiconductor and telecommunications equipment firm QUALCOMM, Inc. (QUALCOMM), and then selling the stock during the period,

detracted from relative performance versus the Index during the period. After the Stock Portfolio sold QUALCOMM, the company’s stock price rose sharply following the firm’s settlement with Apple, Inc., which involved a long-running dispute over licensing fees for QUALCOMM technology.

In communication services, Stock Portfolio’s overweight position in broadband and cellular service provider Verizon Communications, Inc. hurt relative results versus the Index. While the stock delivered double-digit gains, it underperformed the market during a period when investors favored companies viewed as having higher growth potential than cell-service providers.

Canadian apparel maker Gildan Activewear, Inc. (Gildan), an out-of-Index holding in the consumer discretionary sector, also detracted from Fund performance versus the Index. Gildan’s stock price declined after it surprised the market in October 2019 with an announcement that annual sales and earnings would be lower than projected. The security was sold during the period.

On the positive side, the Stock Portfolio’s stock selections in the health care, financials, and industrials sectors contributed to Fund performance versus the Index. In health care, not owning global pharmaceutical firm Pfizer, Inc. (Pfizer), an Index component, helped performance versus the Index. Underperformance of Upjohn Co., Pfizer’s generic drug division, along with difficulties surrounding the merger of Upjohn and generics firm Mylan NV, caused Pfizer’s stock to decline during the period.

The Stock Portfolio initiated a position in Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. (Bristol-Myers), another global pharmaceutical firm, in May 2019 after its stock price declined on the announcement of Bristol-Myers’ intent to acquire rival Celgene Corp. (Celgene). Bristol-Myers’ stock subsequently rose — and contributed to relative performance versus the Index — due to positive data from a Celgene cancer drug trial, as well as the market’s recognition that Celgene’s new products were more effective than initially perceived.

Not owning Warren Buffet’s multinational holding company Berkshire Hathaway, Inc. (Berkshire Hathaway), an Index component in the financials sector, aided performance relative to the Index as well. The stock underperformed the market as investors reacted negatively to Berkshire Hathaway’s inability to find a large acquisition during the period to put its growing cash reserves to work

In the industrials sector, performance versus the Index benefited from Stock Portfolio’s out-of-Index position in Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc. (Gardner Denver), a conglomerate that manufactures compressors, pumps, and blowers. The stock outperformed the Index after Gardner Denver announced a pending merger with Ingersoll Rand PLC’s pumps business, making Gardner Denver the second-largest player in its industry.

Among Core Bond Portfolio’s fixed-income holdings, an overweight position in investment-grade corporate bonds contributed the most to Fund returns relative to the Fund’s secondary benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S Aggregate Bond Index (the Secondary Index). Out-of-Secondary Index allocations to high yield corporate bonds and bank loans also contributed to relative Fund performance. All three sectors outperformed U.S. Treasury securities during the period, as investors sought higher income potential.

Conversely, Core Bond Portfolio’s shorter-than-Secondary Index duration6 detracted from relative Fund performance, as interest rates fell sharply during the period. An overweight allocation to asset-backed securities also detracted from relative results versus the Secondary Index, as the fixed-income market lagged during the period.

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Performance2,3

 

Portfolio Managers Charles B. Gaffney, Vishal Khanduja, CFA and Brian S. Ellis, CFA

 

% Average Annual Total Returns   

Class

Inception Date

    

Performance

Inception Date

     One Year      Five Years      Ten Years  

Class A at NAV

     04/01/1932        04/01/1932        23.63      7.79      9.03

Class A with 5.75% Maximum Sales Charge

                   16.46        6.51        8.39  

Class C at NAV

     11/02/1993        04/01/1932        22.71        7.01        8.23  

Class C with 1% Maximum Sales Charge

                   21.71        7.01        8.23  

Class I at NAV

     09/28/2012        04/01/1932        24.07        8.08        9.23  

Class R at NAV

     05/02/2016        04/01/1932        23.31        7.60        8.93  

Class R6 at NAV

     05/02/2016        04/01/1932        24.11        8.12        9.25  

S&P 500® Index

                   31.49      11.69      13.55

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

                   8.72        3.05        3.74  

Blended Index

                   22.18        8.37        9.77  
              

% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios4

  

Class A

    

Class C

    

Class I

    

Class R

    

Class R6

 

Gross

     1.01      1.76      0.76      1.26      0.72

Net

     0.98        1.73        0.73        1.23        0.69  

Growth of $10,000

 

This graph shows the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A of the Fund for the period indicated. For comparison, the same investment is shown in the indicated index.

 

LOGO

 

Growth of Investment3    Amount Invested      Period Beginning      At NAV     With Maximum Sales Charge  

Class C

   $ 10,000        12/31/2009      $ 22,071       N.A.  

Class I

   $ 250,000        12/31/2009      $ 604,906       N.A.  

Class R

   $ 10,000        12/31/2009      $ 23,540       N.A.  

Class R6

   $ 1,000,000        12/31/2009      $ 2,424,466       N.A.  

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Profile5

 

 

 

Asset Allocation (% of total investments)

 

 

LOGO

 

Equity Investments Sector Allocation (% of total investments) 

 

 

LOGO

 

Fixed Income Allocation (% of total investments)

 

 

LOGO

    

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1

The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as “forward looking statements.” The Fund’s actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2 

Dow Jones Industrial Average® is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally the leaders in their industry. S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index of large-cap stocks commonly used as a measure of U.S. stock market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices are a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P DJI”) and have been licensed for use. S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of S&P DJI; Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); S&P DJI, Dow Jones and their respective affiliates do not sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the Fund, will not have any liability with respect thereto and do not have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P Dow Jones Indices. Nasdaq Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of all domestic and international securities listed on Nasdaq. Source: Nasdaq, Inc. The information is provided by Nasdaq (with its affiliates, are referred to as the “Corporations”) and Nasdaq’s third party licensors on an “as is” basis and the Corporations make no guarantees and bear no liability of any kind with respect to the information or the Fund. Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of 2,000 U.S. small-cap stocks. Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of domestic investment-grade bonds, including corporate, government and mortgage-backed securities. The Blended Index consists of 60% S&P 500® Index and 40% Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index, rebalanced monthly Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

3 

Total Returns at NAV do not include applicable sales charges. If sales charges were deducted, the returns would be lower. Total Returns shown with maximum sales charge reflect the stated maximum sales charge. Unless otherwise stated, performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

 

  

Performance prior to the inception date of a class may be linked to the performance of an older class of the Fund. This linked performance is adjusted for any applicable sales charge, but is not adjusted for class expense differences. If adjusted for such differences, the performance would be different. The performance of Class I and Class R is linked to Class A and the performance of Class R6 is linked to Class I. Performance presented in the Financial Highlights included in the financial statements is not linked.

 

4 

Source: Fund prospectus. Net expense ratios reflect a contractual expense reimbursement that continues through 4/30/20. Without the reimbursement, performance would have been lower. The expense ratios for the current reporting period can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.

 

5 

Fund invests in one or more affiliated investment companies (Portfolios). References to investments are to the aggregate holdings of the Fund, including its pro rata share of each Portfolio in which it invests

 

6 

Duration is a measure of the expected change in price of a bond — in percentage terms — given a one percent change in interest rates, all else being constant. Securities with lower durations tend to be less sensitive to interest rate changes.

 

  

Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

 

 

  5  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Expenses

 

 

Example:  As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and redemption fees (if applicable); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of Fund investing and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019).

Actual Expenses:  The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:  The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual Fund expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year (before expenses), which is not the actual Fund return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees (if applicable). Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would be higher.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(7/1/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(12/31/19)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(7/1/19 – 12/31/19)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Actual

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,069.90      $ 5.11        0.98

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,066.60      $ 9.01        1.73

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,072.40      $ 3.81        0.73

Class R

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,069.00      $ 6.41        1.23

Class R6

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,072.60      $ 3.55        0.68
         

Hypothetical

          

(5% return per year before expenses)

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.30      $ 4.99        0.98

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,016.50      $ 8.79        1.73

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.50      $ 3.72        0.73

Class R

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.00      $ 6.26        1.23

Class R6

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.80      $ 3.47        0.68

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on June 30, 2019. The Example reflects the expenses of both the Fund and the Portfolios.

 

  6  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Investment in Core Bond Portfolio, at value (identified cost, $381,754,050)

   $ 385,214,229  

Investment in Stock Portfolio, at value (identified cost, $435,325,828)

     574,499,388  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     1,967,454  

Total assets

   $ 961,681,071  
Liabilities         

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

   $ 1,118,028  

Payable to affiliates:

  

Administration fee

     32,231  

Distribution and service fees

     275,259  

Trustees’ fees

     125  

Accrued expenses

     275,675  

Total liabilities

   $ 1,701,318  

Net Assets

   $ 959,979,753  
Sources of Net Assets         

Paid-in capital

   $ 794,138,093  

Distributable earnings

     165,841,660  

Net Assets

   $ 959,979,753  
Class A Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 353,168,620  

Shares Outstanding

     35,847,278  

Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 9.85  

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

  

(100 ÷ 94.25 of net asset value per share)

   $ 10.45  
Class C Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 236,215,414  

Shares Outstanding

     23,866,564  

Net Asset Value and Offering Price Per Share*

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 9.90  
Class I Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 322,436,454  

Shares Outstanding

     32,717,322  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 9.86  
Class R Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 5,904,608  

Shares Outstanding

     601,301  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 9.82  
Class R6 Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 42,254,657  

Shares Outstanding

     4,286,797  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 9.86  

On sales of $50,000 or more, the offering price of Class A shares is reduced.

 

*

Redemption price per share is equal to the net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Dividends allocated from Portfolios (net of foreign taxes, $83,379)

   $ 8,622,823  

Interest allocated from Portfolios (net of foreign taxes, $4,861)

     11,557,642  

Expenses allocated from Portfolios

     (5,017,588

Total investment income from Portfolios

   $ 15,162,877  
Expenses         

Administration fee

   $ 348,170  

Distribution and service fees

  

Class A

     851,843  

Class B

     6,471  

Class C

     2,234,421  

Class R

     19,764  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     500  

Custodian fee

     60,382  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     599,028  

Legal and accounting services

     56,165  

Printing and postage

     79,935  

Registration fees

     108,134  

Miscellaneous

     67,447  

Total expenses

   $ 4,432,260  

Net investment income

   $ 10,730,617  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) from Portfolios         

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 35,514,507  

Financial futures contracts

     4,933,034  

Foreign currency transactions

     212  

Net realized gain

   $ 40,447,753  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 130,210,187  

Financial futures contracts

     (2,236,237

Foreign currency

     1,739  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 127,975,689  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 168,423,442  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 179,154,059  

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 10,730,617      $ 10,753,583  

Net realized gain

     40,447,753        36,889,139 (1) 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     127,975,689        (75,919,790

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 179,154,059      $ (28,277,068

Distributions to shareholders —

     

Class A

   $ (13,354,072    $ (18,739,469

Class B

     (4,525      (91,266

Class C

     (7,054,249      (12,205,962

Class I

     (12,155,136      (13,826,475

Class R

     (180,605      (135,021

Class R6

     (1,599,307      (1,789,678

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (34,347,894    $ (46,787,871

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

     

Proceeds from sale of shares

     

Class A

   $ 53,482,468      $ 36,195,194  

Class B

     190        102,651  

Class C

     33,197,069        32,946,973  

Class I

     130,863,717        84,683,057  

Class R

     3,294,963        2,505,931  

Class R6

     13,926,389        8,927,546  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

     

Class A

     12,267,588        17,050,458  

Class B

     4,171        75,196  

Class C

     6,717,511        11,694,047  

Class I

     10,372,652        12,115,212  

Class R

     180,605        135,021  

Class R6

     1,599,307        1,789,678  

Cost of shares redeemed

     

Class A

     (85,709,944      (65,301,961

Class B

     (271,291      (382,402

Class C

     (44,503,151      (60,203,295

Class I

     (69,730,525      (87,201,665

Class R

     (669,135      (419,113

Class R6

     (7,122,601      (7,265,449

Net asset value of shares converted(2)

     

Class A

     20,785,169        1,881,655  

Class B

     (1,316,238      (1,881,655

Class C

     (19,468,931       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ 57,899,983      $ (12,552,921

Other capital —

     

Portfolio transaction fee contributed to Stock Portfolio

   $ (279,711    $ (210,067

Portfolio transaction fee allocated from Stock Portfolio

     264,070        199,641  

Net decrease in net assets from other capital

   $ (15,641    $ (10,426

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ 202,690,507      $ (87,628,286
Net Assets

 

At beginning of year

   $ 757,289,246      $ 844,917,532  

At end of year

   $ 959,979,753      $ 757,289,246  

 

(1)  

Includes $1,736,702 of net realized gains from redemptions in-kind.

 

(2) 

Includes the conversion of Class B to Class A shares at the close of business on October 15, 2019 upon the termination of Class B.

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Class A  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 8.280      $ 9.110      $ 8.410      $ 8.190     $ 8.460  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.125      $ 0.132      $ 0.124      $ 0.114     $ 0.088  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.819        (0.424      1.003        0.261       0.139  

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 1.944      $ (0.292    $ 1.127      $ 0.375     $ 0.227  
Less Distributions

 

From net investment income

   $ (0.127    $ (0.146    $ (0.139    $ (0.123   $ (0.116

From net realized gain

     (0.247      (0.392      (0.288      (0.032     (0.381

Total distributions

   $ (0.374    $ (0.538    $ (0.427    $ (0.155   $ (0.497

Portfolio transaction fee, net(1)

   $ (0.000 )(2)     $ (0.000 )(2)     $ 0.000 (2)       $ (0.000 )(2)    $  

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 9.850      $ 8.280      $ 9.110      $ 8.410     $ 8.190  

Total Return(3)

     23.63      (3.43 )%(4)        13.53 %(4)       4.60 %(4)      2.65 %(4) 
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 353,169      $ 294,742      $ 333,860      $ 374,579     $ 293,994  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(5)

             

Expenses(6)

     0.98      0.98 %(4)       0.98 %(4)       0.98 %(4)      1.05 %(4) 

Net investment income

     1.34      1.45      1.41      1.38     1.05

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund(7)

     12      7      4      11     2

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Amount is less than $0.0005 or $(0.0005), as applicable.

 

(3) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(4) 

The administrator of the Fund reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.03%, 0.01%, 0.03% and less than 0.005% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(5) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolios’ allocated expenses.

 

(6) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(7) 

Percentage is based on the Fund’s contributions to and withdrawals from the Portfolios and excludes the investment activity of the Portfolios.

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class C  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 8.310      $ 9.140      $ 8.440      $ 8.220     $ 8.500  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.055      $ 0.064      $ 0.058      $ 0.052     $ 0.026  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.837        (0.426      1.001        0.266       0.138  

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 1.892      $ (0.362    $ 1.059      $ 0.318     $ 0.164  
Less Distributions

 

From net investment income

   $ (0.055    $ (0.076    $ (0.071    $ (0.066   $ (0.063

From net realized gain

     (0.247      (0.392      (0.288      (0.032     (0.381

Total distributions

   $ (0.302    $ (0.468    $ (0.359    $ (0.098   $ (0.444

Portfolio transaction fee, net(1)

   $ (0.000 )(2)     $ (0.000 )(2)     $ 0.000 (2)       $ (0.000 )(2)    $  

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 9.900      $ 8.310      $ 9.140      $ 8.440     $ 8.220  

Total Return(3)

     22.71      (4.03 )%(4)        12.63 %(4)       3.88 %(4)      1.86 %(4) 
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 236,215      $ 221,669      $ 258,844      $ 254,656     $ 137,051  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(5)

             

Expenses(6)

     1.73      1.73 %(4)       1.73 %(4)       1.73 %(4)      1.80 %(4) 

Net investment income

     0.59      0.70      0.65      0.63     0.30

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund(7)

     12      7      4      11     2

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Amount is less than $0.0005 or $(0.0005), as applicable.

 

(3) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(4) 

The administrator of the Fund reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.03%, 0.01%, 0.03% and less than 0.005% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(5) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolios’ allocated expenses.

 

(6) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(7) 

Percentage is based on the Fund’s contributions to and withdrawals from the Portfolios and excludes the investment activity of the Portfolios.

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class I  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 8.280      $ 9.110      $ 8.410      $ 8.190     $ 8.460  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.149      $ 0.156      $ 0.147      $ 0.137     $ 0.109  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.830        (0.425      1.002        0.258       0.138  

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 1.979      $ (0.269    $ 1.149      $ 0.395     $ 0.247  
Less Distributions

 

From net investment income

   $ (0.152    $ (0.169    $ (0.161    $ (0.143   $ (0.136

From net realized gain

     (0.247      (0.392      (0.288      (0.032     (0.381

Total distributions

   $ (0.399    $ (0.561    $ (0.449    $ (0.175   $ (0.517

Portfolio transaction fee, net(1)

   $ (0.000 )(2)     $ (0.000 )(2)     $ 0.000 (2)       $ (0.000 )(2)    $  

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 9.860      $ 8.280      $ 9.110      $ 8.410     $ 8.190  

Total Return(3)

     24.07      (3.19 )%(4)        13.81 %(4)       4.86 %(4)      2.88 %(4) 
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 322,436      $ 208,740      $ 220,522      $ 211,211     $ 78,055  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(5)

             

Expenses(6)

     0.73      0.73 %(4)       0.73 %(4)       0.73 %(4)      0.80 %(4) 

Net investment income

     1.59      1.70      1.66      1.63     1.29

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund(7)

     12      7      4      11     2

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Amount is less than $0.0005 or $(0.0005), as applicable.

 

(3) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(4) 

The administrator of the Fund reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.03%, 0.01%, 0.03% and less than 0.005% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(5) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolios’ allocated expenses.

 

(6) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(7) 

Percentage is based on the Fund’s contributions to and withdrawals from the Portfolios and excludes the investment activity of the Portfolios.

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class R  
     Year Ended December 31,     Period Ended
December 31, 2016
(1)
 
     2019        2018      2017  
         

Net asset value — Beginning of period

   $ 8.260        $ 9.090      $ 8.400     $ 8.290  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

Net investment income(2)

   $ 0.102        $ 0.115      $ 0.104     $ 0.075  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.812          (0.423      0.996       0.152  

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 1.914        $ (0.308    $ 1.100     $ 0.227  
Less Distributions

 

From net investment income

   $ (0.107      $ (0.130    $ (0.122   $ (0.085

From net realized gain

     (0.247        (0.392      (0.288     (0.032

Total distributions

   $ (0.354      $ (0.522    $ (0.410   $ (0.117

Portfolio transaction fee, net(2)

   $ (0.000 )(3)       $ (0.000 )(3)     $ 0.000 (3)      $ (0.000 )(3) 

Net asset value — End of period

   $ 9.820        $ 8.260      $ 9.090     $ 8.400  

Total Return(4)

     23.31        (3.61 )%(5)        13.22 %(5)      2.73 %(5)(6)  
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 5,905        $ 2,514      $ 561     $ 178  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(7)

            

Expenses(8)

     1.23        1.23 %(5)       1.23 %(5)      1.23 %(5)(9) 

Net investment income

     1.08        1.27      1.17     1.33 %(9) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund(10)

     12        7      4     11 %(11) 

 

  (1)

For the period from commencement of operations on May 2, 2016 to December 31, 2016.

 

  (2)

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

  (3)

Amount is less than $0.0005 or $(0.0005), as applicable.

 

  (4)

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

  (5)

The administrator of the Fund reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.03%, 0.01% and 0.03% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period ended December 31, 2016, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

  (6)

Not annualized.

 

  (7)

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolios’ allocated expenses.

 

  (8)

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  (9)

Annualized.

 

(10) 

Percentage is based on the Fund’s contributions to and withdrawals from the Portfolios and excludes the investment activity of the Portfolios.

 

(11) 

For the Fund’s year ended December 31, 2016.

 

  13   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class R6  
     Year Ended December 31,     Period Ended
December 31, 2016
(1)
 
     2019        2018      2017  
         

Net asset value — Beginning of period

   $ 8.280        $ 9.110      $ 8.420     $ 8.300  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

Net investment income(2)

   $ 0.153        $ 0.160      $ 0.146     $ 0.088  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     1.829          (0.423      0.999       0.170  

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 1.982        $ (0.263    $ 1.145     $ 0.258  
Less Distributions

 

From net investment income

   $ (0.155      $ (0.175    $ (0.167   $ (0.106

From net realized gain

     (0.247        (0.392      (0.288     (0.032

Total distributions

   $ (0.402      $ (0.567    $ (0.455   $ (0.138

Portfolio transaction fee, net(2)

   $ (0.000 )(3)       $ (0.000 )(3)     $ 0.000 (3)      $ (0.000 )(3) 

Net asset value — End of period

   $ 9.860        $ 8.280      $ 9.110     $ 8.420  

Total Return(4)

     24.11        (3.13 )%(5)        13.75 %(5)      3.11 %(5)(6)  
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of period (000’s omitted)

   $ 42,255        $ 28,215      $ 27,492     $ 7  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(7)

            

Expenses(8)

     0.68        0.69 %(5)       0.69 %(5)      0.69 %(5)(9) 

Net investment income

     1.63        1.74      1.62     1.58 %(9) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund(10)

     12        7      4     11 %(11) 

 

  (1)

For the period from commencement of operations on May 2, 2016 to December 31, 2016.

 

  (2)

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

  (3)

Amount is less than $0.0005 or $(0.0005), as applicable.

 

  (4)

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

  (5)

The administrator of the Fund reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.03%, 0.01% and 0.03% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2018 and 2017 and the period ended December 31, 2016, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

  (6)

Not annualized.

 

  (7)

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolios’ allocated expenses.

 

  (8)

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  (9)

Annualized.

 

(10) 

Percentage is based on the Fund’s contributions to and withdrawals from the Portfolios and excludes the investment activity of the Portfolios.

 

(11) 

For the Fund’s year ended December 31, 2016.

 

  14   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Balanced Fund (the Fund) is a diversified series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund offers five classes of shares. Class A shares are generally sold subject to a sales charge imposed at time of purchase. Class C shares are sold at net asset value and are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (see Note 5). Effective January 25, 2019, Class C shares generally automatically convert to Class A shares ten years after their purchase as described in the Fund’s prospectus. Class I, Class R and Class R6 shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge. The Fund previously offered Class B shares, which beginning January 1, 2012, were only available for purchase upon exchange from another Eaton Vance fund or through reinvestment of distributions. Class B shares automatically converted to Class A shares eight years after their purchase as described in the Fund’s prospectus. At the close of business on October 15, 2019, Class B shares were converted into Class A shares and Class B was terminated. Each class represents a pro-rata interest in the Fund, but votes separately on class-specific matters and (as noted below) is subject to different expenses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income and losses, other than class-specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Sub-accounting, recordkeeping and similar administrative fees payable to financial intermediaries, which are a component of transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations, are not allocated to Class R6 shares. Each class of shares differs in its distribution plan and certain other class-specific expenses. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide current income and long-term growth of capital. The Fund currently pursues its objective by investing all of its investable assets in interests in two portfolios managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM) or its affiliates (the Portfolios), which are Massachusetts business trusts. The value of the Fund’s investments in the Portfolios reflects the Fund’s proportionate interest in their net assets. The Fund’s proportionate interest in each of the Portfolio’s net assets at December 31, 2019 were as follows: Core Bond Portfolio (65.2%) and Stock Portfolio (84.0%). The performance of the Fund is directly affected by the performance of the Portfolios. The financial statements of Stock Portfolio, including the portfolio of investments, are included elsewhere in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements. A copy of Core Bond Portfolio’s financial statements is available by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — Valuation of securities by Stock Portfolio is discussed in Note 1A of the Portfolio’s Notes to Financial Statements, which are included elsewhere in this report. Such policies are consistent with those of Core Bond Portfolio.

Additional valuation policies for Core Bond Portfolio (the Portfolio) are as follows:

Debt Obligations. Debt obligations are generally valued on the basis of valuations provided by third party pricing services, as derived from such services’ pricing models. Inputs to the models may include, but are not limited to, reported trades, executable bid and ask prices, broker/dealer quotations, prices or yields of securities with similar characteristics, interest rates, anticipated prepayments, benchmark curves or information pertaining to the issuer, as well as industry and economic events. The pricing services may use a matrix approach, which considers information regarding securities with similar characteristics to determine the valuation for a security. Short-term debt obligations purchased with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less for which a valuation from a third party pricing service is not readily available may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Senior Floating-Rate Loans. Interests in senior floating-rate loans (Senior Loans) for which reliable market quotations are readily available are valued generally at the average mean of bid and ask quotations obtained from a third party pricing service.

Derivatives. Financial futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded.

B  Income — The Fund’s net investment income or loss consists of the Fund’s pro-rata share of the net investment income or loss of the Portfolios, less all actual and accrued expenses of the Fund.

C  Federal Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

D  Expenses — The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

E  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

  15  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

F  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

G  Other — Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

It is the present policy of the Fund to make quarterly distributions of all or substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are declared separately for each class of shares. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund at the net asset value as of the ex-dividend date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018  

Ordinary income

   $ 14,517,243      $ 21,180,027  

Long-term capital gains

   $ 19,830,651      $ 25,607,844  

During the year ended December 31, 2019, distributable earnings was decreased by $2,648,018 and paid-in capital was increased by $2,648,018 due to the Fund’s use of equalization accounting and differences between book and tax accounting for the Fund’s investment in the Portfolios. Tax equalization accounting allows the Fund to treat as a distribution that portion of redemption proceeds representing a redeeming shareholder’s portion of undistributed taxable income and net capital gains. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.

As of December 31, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 2,372,755  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

   $ 8,170,886  

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 155,298,019  

3  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by EVM as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. Pursuant to an investment advisory agreement effective October 18, 2018, between the Fund and EVM, the investment adviser fee is computed on investable Fund assets that are not invested in other investment companies for which EVM or its affiliates serve as investment adviser (“Investable Assets”) at the following annual rates: for equity securities — 0.600% up to $500 million and 0.575% from $500 million up to $1 billion of the Fund’s average daily net Investable Assets and at reduced rates when average daily net Investable Assets are $1 billion or more; and for income securities and cash — 0.450% up to $1 billion of the Fund’s average daily net Investable Assets, and at reduced rates when average daily net Investable Assets are $1 billion or more. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund incurred no investment adviser fee on Investable Assets. To the extent the Fund’s assets are invested in the Portfolios, the Fund is allocated its share of the Portfolios’ investment adviser fees. The Portfolios have engaged Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of EVM, to render investment advisory services. See Note 2 of the Portfolios’ Notes to Financial Statements. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund’s allocated portion of investment adviser fees paid by the Portfolios amounted to $4,675,881 or 0.54% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The administration fee is earned by EVM as compensation for administrative services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.04% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the administration fee amounted to $348,170. EVM has agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent that total annual operating expenses (relating to ordinary operating expenses only) exceed 0.98%, 1.73%, 0.73%, 1.23% and 0.69% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class A, Class C, Class I, Class R and Class R6, respectively, and prior to October 16, 2019,

 

  16  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

1.73% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class B. This agreement may be changed or terminated after April 30, 2020. Pursuant to this agreement, no operating expenses were allocated to EVM for the year ended December 31, 2019.

EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2019, EVM earned $85,734 from the Fund pursuant to such agreement, which is included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations. The Fund was informed that Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM, received $108,355 as its portion of the sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the year ended December 31, 2019. EVD also received distribution and service fees from Class A, Class B, Class C and Class R shares (see Note 4) and contingent deferred sales charges (see Note 5).

Trustees and officers of the Fund and the Portfolios who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund and the Portfolios are officers of the above organizations.

4  Distribution Plans

The Fund has in effect a distribution plan for Class A shares (Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund pays EVD a distribution and service fee of 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution services and facilities provided to the Fund by EVD, as well as for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Distribution and service fees paid or accrued to EVD for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $851,843 for Class A shares.

The Fund also has in effect distribution plans for Class C shares (Class C Plan), Class R shares (Class R Plan) and prior to October 16, 2019, Class B shares (Class B Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class B and Class C Plans, the Fund paid/pays EVD amounts equal to 0.75% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class B and Class C shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $4,853 and $1,675,816 for Class B and Class C shares, respectively.

The Class R Plan requires the Fund to pay EVD an amount up to 0.50% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. The Trustees of the Trust have currently limited Class R distribution payments to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $9,882 for Class R shares.

Pursuant to the Class B, Class C and Class R Plans, the Fund also made/makes payments of service fees to EVD, financial intermediaries and other persons in amounts equal to 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to that class. Service fees paid or accrued are for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. They are separate and distinct from the sales commissions and distribution fees payable to EVD. Service fees paid or accrued for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $1,618, $558,605 and $9,882 for Class B, Class C and Class R shares, respectively.

Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2341(d) and for Class B, were further limited to a 5% maximum sales charge as determined in accordance with such rule.

5  Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) generally is imposed on redemptions of Class C shares made within one year of purchase and prior to October 16, 2019, on redemptions of Class B shares made within six years of purchase. Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed within 18 months of purchase (depending on the circumstances of purchase). Generally, the CDSC is based upon the lower of the net asset value at date of redemption or date of purchase. No charge is levied on shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. The CDSC for Class B shares was imposed at declining rates that began at 5% in the case of redemptions in the first and second year after purchase, declining one percentage point each subsequent year. Class C shares are subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed within one year of purchase. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund was informed that EVD received approximately $300 and $13,000 of CDSCs paid by Class A and Class C shareholders, respectively, and no CDSCs paid by Class B shareholders.

6  Investment Transactions

For the year ended December 31, 2019, increases and decreases in the Fund’s investments in the Portfolios were as follows:

 

Portfolio    Contributions      Withdrawals  

Core Bond Portfolio

   $ 63,837,970      $ 40,988,338  

Stock Portfolio

     58,144,295        63,803,707  

 

  17  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

In addition, a Portfolio transaction fee is imposed by Stock Portfolio on the combined daily inflows or outflows of the Fund and Stock Portfolio’s other investors as more fully described at Note 1H of Stock Portfolio’s financial statements included herein. Such fee is allocated to the Fund based on its pro-rata interest in Stock Portfolio. The amount of the Portfolio transaction fee imposed on the Fund, if any, and the allocation of such fee are presented as Other capital on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

7  Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Such shares may be issued in a number of different series (such as the Fund) and classes. Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class A    2019      2018  

Sales

     5,704,561        3,974,276  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     1,274,423        1,955,621  

Redemptions

     (9,108,143      (7,190,686

Converted from Class B shares

     146,241        206,017  

Converted from Class C shares

     2,227,942         

Net increase (decrease)

     245,024        (1,054,772
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class B    2019(1)      2018  

Sales

     21        11,130  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     447        8,605  

Redemptions

     (29,604      (43,085

Converted to Class A shares

     (140,376      (205,611

Net decrease

     (169,512      (228,961
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class C    2019      2018  

Sales

     3,509,184        3,593,719  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     691,129        1,343,199  

Redemptions

     (4,767,786      (6,583,869

Converted to Class A shares

     (2,225,270       

Net decrease

     (2,792,743      (1,646,951
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class I    2019      2018  

Sales

     13,916,289        9,218,867  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     1,076,617        1,387,914  

Redemptions

     (7,480,042      (9,606,842

Net increase

     7,512,864        999,939  

 

  18  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class R    2019      2018  

Sales

     348,702        273,640  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     18,726        15,680  

Redemptions

     (70,599      (46,563

Net increase

     296,829        242,757  
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class R6    2019      2018  

Sales

     1,459,105        978,178  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     166,020        205,202  

Redemptions

     (745,068      (793,374

Net increase

     880,057        390,006  

 

(1) 

At the close of business on October 15, 2019, Class B shares were converted into Class A and Class B was terminated.

8  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities. At December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018, the Fund’s investment in Core Bond Portfolio, whose financial statements are not included but are available elsewhere as discussed in Note 1, and in Stock Portfolio were valued based on Level 1 inputs.

 

  19  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Balanced Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Balanced Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust), as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  20  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you received in February 2020 showed the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2019. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified business income, qualified dividend income for individuals, the dividends received deduction for corporations and capital gains dividends.

Qualified Business Income.  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund designates approximately $319,995, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified business income.

Qualified Dividend Income.  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund designates approximately $8,017,117, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate of 15%.

Dividends Received Deduction.  Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Fund’s fiscal 2019 ordinary income dividends, 35.45% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

Capital Gains Dividends.  The Fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended December 31, 2019, $25,909,849 or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.

 

  21  


Stock Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

Common Stocks — 99.0%

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Aerospace & Defense — 1.1%  

Hexcel Corp.

    103,500     $ 7,587,585  
      $ 7,587,585  
Banks — 6.3%  

Bank of America Corp.

    451,440     $ 15,899,717  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    111,420       15,531,948  

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

    72,340       11,547,634  
      $ 42,979,299  
Beverages — 2.6%  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    132,800     $ 18,149,776  
      $ 18,149,776  
Capital Markets — 1.0%  

Tradeweb Markets, Inc., Class A

    148,739     $ 6,894,053  
      $ 6,894,053  
Chemicals — 0.6%  

Ecolab, Inc.

    21,100     $ 4,072,089  
      $ 4,072,089  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.3%  

Waste Management, Inc.

    77,882     $ 8,875,433  
      $ 8,875,433  
Communications Equipment — 1.3%  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    189,800     $ 9,102,808  
      $ 9,102,808  
Consumer Finance — 1.4%  

American Express Co.

    75,960     $ 9,456,260  
      $ 9,456,260  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 2.0%  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    220,190     $ 13,519,666  
      $ 13,519,666  
Electric Utilities — 1.3%  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    35,596     $ 8,619,927  
      $ 8,619,927  
Security   Shares     Value  
Electrical Equipment — 3.0%  

AMETEK, Inc.

    123,600     $ 12,327,864  

Emerson Electric Co.

    111,842       8,529,071  
      $ 20,856,935  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.5%  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(1)

    14,700     $ 3,754,968  
      $ 3,754,968  
Entertainment — 2.0%  

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    92,826     $ 13,425,424  
      $ 13,425,424  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 2.9%  

American Tower Corp.

    55,300     $ 12,709,046  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    33,780       7,083,666  
      $ 19,792,712  
Food Products — 2.3%  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    286,920     $ 15,803,554  
      $ 15,803,554  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 4.4%  

Abbott Laboratories

    83,200     $ 7,226,752  

Boston Scientific Corp.(1)

    186,620       8,438,956  

Danaher Corp.

    95,566       14,667,470  
      $ 30,333,178  
Health Care Providers & Services — 2.5%  

Anthem, Inc.

    55,960     $ 16,901,599  
      $ 16,901,599  
Household Products — 1.5%  

Kimberly-Clark Corp.

    73,900     $ 10,164,945  
      $ 10,164,945  
Insurance — 4.6%  

American International Group, Inc.

    199,740     $ 10,252,654  

Assurant, Inc.

    42,100       5,518,468  

First American Financial Corp.

    107,372       6,261,935  

Progressive Corp. (The)

    132,000       9,555,480  
      $ 31,588,537  
 

 

  22   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Stock Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Interactive Media & Services — 6.9%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(1)

    23,329     $ 31,191,340  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(1)

    78,544       16,121,156  
      $ 47,312,496  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 3.5%  

Amazon.com, Inc.(1)

    12,822     $ 23,693,005  
      $ 23,693,005  
IT Services — 7.5%  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    160,512     $ 9,954,954  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    102,300       14,228,907  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(1)

    78,100       8,448,077  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    98,100       18,432,990  
      $ 51,064,928  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 2.1%  

Thermo Fisher Scientific, Inc.

    43,300     $ 14,066,871  
      $ 14,066,871  
Machinery — 2.2%  

Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc.(1)

    220,920     $ 8,103,346  

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

    41,200       6,828,488  
      $ 14,931,834  
Metals & Mining — 2.0%  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

    402,700     $ 13,707,908  
      $ 13,707,908  
Multi-Utilities — 2.1%  

CMS Energy Corp.

    106,300     $ 6,679,892  

Sempra Energy

    52,942       8,019,654  
      $ 14,699,546  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 4.5%  

ConocoPhillips

    102,086     $ 6,638,653  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    61,500       5,151,240  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    157,044       10,958,530  

Phillips 66

    69,425       7,734,639  
      $ 30,483,062  
Pharmaceuticals — 5.4%  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    233,100     $ 14,962,689  

Catalent, Inc.(1)

    97,700       5,500,510  
Security   Shares     Value  
Pharmaceuticals (continued)  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC ADR

    73,300     $ 3,444,367  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    140,400       12,769,380  
      $ 36,676,946  
Road & Rail — 0.9%  

CSX Corp.

    85,700     $ 6,201,252  
      $ 6,201,252  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 3.2%  

ASML Holding NV - NY Shares

    11,800     $ 3,492,092  

Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd. ADR

    141,123       8,199,246  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    78,579       10,080,900  
      $ 21,772,238  
Software — 6.8%  

Adobe, Inc.(1)

    22,978     $ 7,578,374  

Intuit, Inc.

    17,536       4,593,205  

Microsoft Corp.

    215,720       34,019,044  
      $ 46,190,623  
Specialty Retail — 5.4%  

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    55,188     $ 12,051,955  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    136,306       16,324,007  

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

    139,940       8,544,736  
      $ 36,920,698  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 3.9%  

Apple, Inc.

    91,797     $ 26,956,189  
      $ 26,956,189  

Total Common Stocks
(identified cost $500,493,335)

 

  $ 676,556,344  
Rights — 0.1%

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Pharmaceuticals — 0.1%  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. CVR, Exp. 3/31/21(1)

    320,300     $ 964,103  

Total Rights
(identified cost $679,120)

 

  $ 964,103  
 

 

  23   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Stock Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Short-Term Investments — 0.8%

 

Description   Units   Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%(2)

  5,512,026   $ 5,512,026  

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $5,511,762)

  $ 5,512,026  

Total Investments — 99.9%
(identified cost $506,684,217)

  $ 683,032,473  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.1%

  $ 515,045  

Net Assets — 100.0%

  $ 683,547,518  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

(1)

Non-income producing security.

 

(2)

Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2019.

 

Abbreviations:
ADR     American Depositary Receipt
CVR     Contingent Value Rights

 

 

 

  24   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Stock Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $501,172,455)

   $ 677,520,447  

Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $5,511,762)

     5,512,026  

Foreign currency, at value (identified cost, $16,206)

     16,204  

Dividends receivable

     823,919  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investment

     9,135  

Tax reclaims receivable

     157,340  

Total assets

   $ 684,039,071  
Liabilities

 

Payable to affiliates:

  

Investment adviser fee

   $ 338,988  

Trustees’ fees

     7,953  

Accrued expenses

     144,612  

Total liabilities

   $ 491,553  

Net Assets applicable to investors’ interest in Portfolio

   $ 683,547,518  

 

  25   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Stock Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Dividends (net of foreign taxes, $99,328)

   $ 10,052,771  

Dividends from affiliated investment

     63,749  

Total investment income

   $ 10,116,520  
Expenses

 

Investment adviser fee

   $ 3,702,875  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     23,862  

Custodian fee

     142,399  

Legal and accounting services

     50,091  

Miscellaneous

     24,691  

Total expenses

   $ 3,943,918  

Net investment income

   $ 6,172,602  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 37,237,059  

Investment transactions — affiliated investment

     (377

Foreign currency transactions

     253  

Net realized gain

   $ 37,236,935  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 139,851,452  

Investments — affiliated investment

     262  

Foreign currency

     2,081  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 139,853,795  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 177,090,730  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 183,263,332  

 

  26   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Stock Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 6,172,602      $ 7,128,802  

Net realized gain

     37,236,935        50,384,018 (1) 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     139,853,795        (84,773,096

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 183,263,332      $ (27,260,276

Capital transactions —

     

Contributions

   $ 63,196,014      $ 19,957,986  

Withdrawals

     (79,842,250      (123,729,807

Portfolio transaction fee

     315,199        242,333  

Net decrease in net assets from capital transactions

   $ (16,331,037    $ (103,529,488

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ 166,932,295      $ (130,789,764
Net Assets

 

At beginning of year

   $ 516,615,223      $ 647,404,987  

At end of year

   $ 683,547,518      $ 516,615,223  

 

(1) 

Includes $2,091,763 of net realized gains from redemptions in-kind.

 

  27   See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

 

Stock Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Ratios/Supplemental Data    2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

             

Expenses(1)

     0.63      0.64      0.64      0.65     0.70

Net investment income

     0.99      1.14      1.38      1.60     1.16

Portfolio Turnover

     55      90      101      118     96

Total Return

     35.47      (5.57 )%       20.31      7.14     4.88

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 683,548      $ 516,615      $ 647,405      $ 640,973     $ 395,492  

 

(1) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  28   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Stock Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Stock Portfolio (the Portfolio) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Portfolio’s investment objective is to achieve long-term capital appreciation by investing in a diversified portfolio of equity securities. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue interests in the Portfolio. At December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Stock Fund, Eaton Vance Stock NextShares and Eaton Vance Balanced Fund held an interest of 14.9%, 1.0% and 84.0%, respectively, in the Portfolio.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Portfolio. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Portfolio is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and ask prices on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and ask prices.

Foreign Securities and Currencies. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a third party pricing service. The pricing service uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Inputs to the model include reported trades and implied bid/ask spreads. The daily valuation of exchange-traded foreign securities generally is determined as of the close of trading on the principal exchange on which such securities trade. Events occurring after the close of trading on foreign exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities to more accurately reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When valuing foreign equity securities that meet certain criteria, the Portfolio’s Trustees have approved the use of a fair value service that values such securities to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities.

Affiliated Fund. The Portfolio may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by
Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a third party pricing service.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Portfolio in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Portfolio might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. However, if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as the Portfolio is informed of the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Portfolio’s understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates.

D  Federal Taxes — The Portfolio has elected to be treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes. No provision is made by the Portfolio for federal or state taxes on any taxable income of the Portfolio because each investor in the Portfolio is ultimately responsible for the payment of any taxes on its share of taxable income. Since at least one of the Portfolio’s investors is a regulated investment company that invests all or substantially all of its assets in the Portfolio, the Portfolio normally must satisfy the applicable source of income and diversification requirements (under the Internal Revenue Code) in order for its investors to satisfy them. The Portfolio will allocate, at least annually among its investors, each investor’s distributive share of the Portfolio’s net investment income, net realized capital gains and losses and any other items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit.

As of December 31, 2019, the Portfolio had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Portfolio files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

E  Foreign Currency Translation — Investment valuations, other assets, and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of foreign investment securities and income and expenses denominated in

 

  29  


Stock Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions. Recognized gains or losses on investment transactions attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. That portion of unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.

F  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

G  Indemnifications — Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Portfolio. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, interestholders in the Portfolio could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Portfolio. However, the Portfolio’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Portfolio interestholders. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Portfolio that have not yet occurred.

H  Capital Transactions — To seek to protect the Portfolio (and, indirectly, other investors in the Portfolio) against the costs of accommodating investor inflows and outflows, the Portfolio imposes a fee (“Portfolio transaction fee”) on inflows and outflows by Portfolio investors. The Portfolio transaction fee is sized to cover the estimated cost to the Portfolio of, in connection with issuing interests, converting the cash and/or other instruments it receives to the desired composition and, in connection with redeeming its interests, converting Portfolio holdings to cash and/or other instruments to be distributed. Such fee, which may vary over time, is limited to amounts that have been authorized by the Board of Trustees and determined by EVM to be appropriate. The maximum Portfolio transaction fee is 2% of the amount of net contributions or withdrawals. The Portfolio transaction fee is recorded as a component of capital transactions on the Statements of Changes in Net Assets.

2  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of EVM, as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Portfolio. Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement and subsequent fee reduction agreement between the Portfolio and BMR, the fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.60% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets up to $500 million and 0.575% from $500 million but less than $1 billion, and is payable monthly. On net assets of $1 billion or over, the annual fee is reduced. The fee reduction cannot be terminated or reduced without the approval of a majority vote of the Trustees of the Portfolio who are not interested persons of BMR or the Portfolio and by the vote of a majority of the holders of interest in the Portfolio. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Portfolio’s investment adviser fee amounted to $3,702,875 or 0.59% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. The Portfolio invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund.

Trustees and officers of the Portfolio who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Portfolio out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Portfolio who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2019, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Portfolio are officers of the above organizations.

3  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $339,548,841 and $353,500,921, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019.

4  Federal Income Tax Basis of Investments

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Portfolio at December 31, 2019, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 507,636,901  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 177,139,783  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,744,211

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 175,395,572  

 

  30  


Stock Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

5  Line of Credit

The Portfolio participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in an $800 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 27, 2020. In connection with the renewal of the agreement on October 29, 2019, funds managed by Calvert Research and Management, an affiliate of EVM, were added as participating funds to the agreement and the borrowing limit was increased from $625 million. Borrowings are made by the Portfolio solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to the Portfolio based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Eurodollar rate or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Portfolio, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Portfolio did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the year ended December 31, 2019.

6  Investments in Affiliated Funds

At December 31, 2019, the value of the Portfolio’s investment in affiliated funds was $5,512,026, which represents 0.8% of the Portfolio’s net assets. Transactions in affiliated funds by the Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Name of affiliated fund   Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases    

Sales

proceeds

    Net
realized
gain (loss)
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
    Value, end
of period
    Dividend
income
    Units, end
of period
 

Short-Term Investments

 

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%

  $ 46,118     $ 106,004,358     $ (100,538,335   $ (377   $ 262     $ 5,512,026     $ 63,749       5,512,026  

7  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At December 31, 2019, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

   $ 676,556,344    $      $         —      $ 676,556,344  

Rights

     964,103                      964,103  

Short-Term Investments

            5,512,026               5,512,026  

Total Investments

   $ 677,520,447      $ 5,512,026      $      $ 683,032,473  

 

*

The level classification by major category of investments is the same as the category presentation in the Portfolio of Investments.

 

  31  


Stock Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees and Investors of Stock Portfolio:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Stock Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Portfolio’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Portfolio is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 21, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  32  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization

 

 

Fund Management.  The Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust), Core Bond Portfolio (CBP) and Stock Portfolio (SP) (the Portfolios) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s and Portfolios’ affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Trust and the Portfolios are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Trustees and officers of the Trust and the Portfolios hold indefinite terms of office. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and the Portfolios, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is the Fund’s principal underwriter, the Portfolios’ placement agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 159 portfolios in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure). Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds. Each Trustee and officer serves until his or her successor is elected.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the Trust
and the

Portfolios

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Interested Trustee

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

1958

   Trustee      2007     

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 159 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust and the Portfolios.

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm).

Noninterested Trustees

Mark R. Fetting

1954

   Trustee      2016     

Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Cynthia E. Frost

1961

   Trustee      2014     

Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

George J. Gorman

1952

   Trustee      2014     

Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) (2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds (9 funds) (2010-2014).

Valerie A. Mosley

1960

   Trustee      2014     

Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Former Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Former Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (since 2013).

 

  33  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the Trust
and the

Portfolios

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Noninterested Trustees (continued)

William H. Park

1947

   Chairperson of the Board and Trustee     

2016 (Chairperson)

2003 (Trustee)

    

Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Helen Frame Peters

1948

   Trustee      2008     

Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Keith Quinton

1958

   Trustee      2018     

Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (since 2017). Advisory Committee member at Northfield Information Services, Inc. (risk management analytics provider) (since 2016). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank (since 2016).

Marcus L. Smith

1966

   Trustee      2018     

Member of Posse Boston Advisory Board (foundation) (since 2015). Trustee at University of Mount Union (since 2008). Formerly, Portfolio Manager at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm) (1994-2017).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018).

Susan J. Sutherland

1957

   Trustee      2015     

Private investor. Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (global provider of customized insurance and reinsurance products) (2013-2015).

Scott E. Wennerholm

1959

   Trustee      2016     

Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)
with the Trust

and the

Portfolios

     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

Payson F. Swaffield

1956

   President of the Trust and of CBP      2003      Vice President and Chief Income Investment Officer of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”).

Edward J. Perkin

1972

   President of SP      2014      Chief Equity Investment Officer and Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2014. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”) since 2016.

 

  34  


Eaton Vance

Balanced Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)
with the Trust

and the

Portfolios

     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees (continued)

Maureen A. Gemma

1960

   Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer      2005      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

James F. Kirchner

1967

   Treasurer      2007      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

Richard F. Froio

1968

   Chief Compliance Officer      2017      Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2017. Formerly Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Adviser/Funds) and Chief Compliance Officer (Distribution) at PIMCO (2012-2017) and Managing Director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors (2009-2012).

 

(1)

Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise.

(2) 

Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise, year of most recent election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election.

The SAI for the Fund includes additional information about the Trustees and officers of the Fund and the Portfolios and can be obtained without charge on Eaton Vance’s website at www.eatonvance.com or by calling 1-800-262-1122.

 

  35  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each entity listed below has adopted a privacy policy and procedures (“Privacy Program”) Eaton Vance believes is reasonably designed to protect your personal information and to govern when and with whom Eaton Vance may share your personal information.

 

 

At the time of opening an account, Eaton Vance generally requires you to provide us with certain information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account numbers, and account balances. This information is necessary for us to both open an account for you and to allow us to satisfy legal requirements such as applicable anti-money laundering reviews and know-your-customer requirements.

 

 

On an ongoing basis, in the normal course of servicing your account, Eaton Vance may share your information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various services for Eaton Vance and/or your account. These third parties include transfer agents, custodians, broker/dealers and our professional advisers, including auditors, accountants, and legal counsel. Eaton Vance may additionally share your personal information with our affiliates.

 

 

We believe our Privacy Program is reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access to that information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Program at any time upon proper notification to you. You may want to review our Privacy Program periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of protecting your personal information applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Limited, Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, and Calvert Funds. This Privacy Notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about our Privacy Program or about how your personal information may be used, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-PORT will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

  36  


Investment Adviser of Core Bond Portfolio and Stock Portfolio

Boston Management and Research

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Investment Adviser and Administrator of Eaton Vance Balanced Fund

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 262-1122

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
*

FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


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162    12.31.19


LOGO

 

 

Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

Important Note. Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (eatonvance.com/funddocuments), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you are a direct investor, you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up for e-Delivery at eatonvance.com/edelivery. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you are a direct investor, you can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-262-1122. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Eaton Vance funds held directly or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.

 

LOGO


 

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current summary prospectus or prospectus. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund. This and other important information is contained in the summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial intermediary. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. For further information, please call 1-800-262-1122.


Annual Report December 31, 2019

Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

     2  

Performance

     3  

Fund Profile

     4  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     5  

Fund Expenses

     6  

Financial Statements

     7  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     15 and 35  

Federal Tax Information

     16  

Management and Organization

     36  

Important Notices

     39  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance1

 

 

Economic and Market Conditions

The 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 marked a dramatic turnaround in fixed-income markets from the prior year as the rising interest rate environment of 2018 gave way to a falling interest-rate climate against the backdrop of multiple domestic and international uncertainties.

After a bond rally at the end of 2018 sparked by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) lowering the number of rate increases projected for 2019, the first two months of 2019 were relatively quiet for bonds. Downward pressure on interest rates and upward pressure on bond prices resumed in March 2019 and continued through most of the period propelled by lower-than-desired inflation, low European interest rates, and an on-again/off-again U.S.-China trade conflict. These factors fueled investor concerns about both U.S. and global growth potential.

After holding interest rates steady through the first half of 2019, the Fed cut its benchmark interest rate to 2.00%- 2.25% on July 31— its first reduction in over a decade — followed by two more quarter-point interest-rate drops in September and October to a range of 1.50%-1.75%. Lower rates are intended to help stimulate economic activity by making borrowing costs relatively more affordable.

Late in the year, economic data suggested that international policymaker efforts to bolster their respective economies were starting to pay off. Although U.S. manufacturing activity remained weak, the services sector of the economy — nearly 90% of GDP — continued to expand and holiday retail sales grew at a solid pace.

Adding to economic optimism, the U.S. and China announced a so-called “phase-one” trade agreement on December 13. Days later, British lawmakers endorsed Prime Minister Johnson’s plan for the U.K.’s departure from the European Union, lowering fears of a “no-deal exit” scenario.

As a whole, the period was marked by strong performance across U.S. bond markets. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index,2 a broad measure of the U.S. bond market, returned 8.72%. The Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Bond Index, a measure of U.S. corporate investment-grade bonds, finished 2019 with a 14.54% return — its best calendar-year performance since 2009. High yield fixed-income securities also performed well with the ICE BofAML U.S. High Yield Index returning 14.41% during the period ended December 31, 2019.

Fund Performance

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund (the Fund) returned 9.00% for Class A shares at net asset value (NAV), outperforming its benchmark, the Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index (the Index), which returned 8.72%.

The Fund’s sector positioning overall was a strong contributor to performance relative to the Index during the period. An underweight allocation to U.S. Treasurys and an overweight allocation to investment-grade corporate bonds were particularly beneficial. Out-of-Index allocations to high yield securities and bank loans further enhanced performance.

The Fund’s yield-curve6 positioning also contributed to returns relative to the Index.

Security selection overall within the Fund was also a positive contributor. Selections within investment-grade corporate bonds, mortgage-backed securities, and commercial mortgage- backed securities were especially beneficial.

The Fund’s shorter-than-Index duration was a leading detractor from relative returns as short-term interest rates declined during the period. Duration is a measure of the expected change in the price of a bond — in percentage terms — given a one-percent change in interest rates, all else being constant. Securities with lower durations tend to be less sensitive to interest-rate changes.

Overweight allocations to asset-backed securities and out-of- Index allocations to U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Securities detracted from relative performance.

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Performance2,3

 

Portfolio Managers Vishal Khanduja, CFA and Brian S. Ellis, CFA

 

% Average Annual Total Returns    Class
Inception Date
     Performance
Inception Date
     One Year      Five Years      Ten Years  

Class A at NAV

     01/05/2009        03/07/2000        9.00      2.89      3.70

Class A with 4.75% Maximum Sales Charge

                   3.86        1.89        3.20  

Class I at NAV

     03/21/2007        03/07/2000        9.29        3.15        3.94  

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index

                   8.72      3.05      3.74
              
% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios4                            Class A      Class I  

Gross

              0.85      0.60

Net

              0.74        0.49  

Growth of $10,000

 

This graph shows the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A of the Fund for the period indicated. For comparison, the same investment is shown in the indicated index.

 

LOGO

 

Growth of Investment    Amount Invested      Period Beginning      At NAV     With Maximum Sales Charge  

Class I

   $ 250,000        12/31/2009      $ 368,054       N.A.  

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Profile5

 

 

Asset Allocation (% of total investments)

 

 

LOGO

    

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as “forward looking statements.” The Fund’s actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2 

Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Aggregate Bond Index is an unmanaged index of domestic investment-grade bonds, including corporate, government and mortgage-backed securities. Bloomberg Barclays U.S. Corporate Bond Index measures the performance of investment-grade U.S. corporate securities with a maturity of one year or more. ICE BofAML U.S. High Yield Index is an unmanaged index of below-investment grade U.S. corporate bonds. ICE® BofAML® indices are not for redistribution or other uses; provided “as is”, without warranties, and with no liability. Eaton Vance has prepared this report and ICE Data Indices, LLC does not endorse it, or guarantee, review, or endorse Eaton Vance’s products. BofAML® is a licensed registered trademark of Bank of America Corporation in the United States and other countries.

 

3 

Total Returns at NAV do not include applicable sales charges. If sales charges were deducted, the returns would be lower. Total Returns shown with maximum sales charge reflect the stated maximum sales charge. Unless otherwise stated, performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

 

4 

Source: Fund prospectus. Net expense ratios reflect a contractual expense reimbursement that continues through 4/30/20. Without the reimbursement, performance would have been lower. The expense ratios for the current reporting period can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.

 

5 

Fund invests in an affiliated investment company (Portfolio) with the same objective(s) and policies as the Fund. References to investments are to the Portfolio’s holdings.

6 

Yield curve is a graphical representation of the yields offered by bonds of various maturities. The yield curve flattens when long-term interest rates fall and/or short-term interest rates increase, and the yield curve steepens when long-term interest rates increase and/or short-term interest rates fall.

 

  

Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

 

 

  5  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Expenses

 

 

Example:  As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and redemption fees (if applicable); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of Fund investing and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019).

Actual Expenses:  The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:  The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual Fund expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year (before expenses), which is not the actual Fund return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees (if applicable). Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would be higher.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(7/1/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(12/31/19)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(7/1/19 – 12/31/19)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Actual

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.20      $ 3.78 **       0.74

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,024.50      $ 2.50 **       0.49
         

Hypothetical

          

(5% return per year before expenses)

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.50      $ 3.77 **       0.74

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,022.70      $ 2.50 **       0.49

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on June 30, 2019. The Example reflects the expenses of both the Fund and the Portfolio.

 

**

Absent an allocation of certain expenses to affiliates, expenses would be higher.

 

  6  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Investment in Core Bond Portfolio, at value (identified cost, $200,885,531)

   $ 205,175,362  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     883,157  

Receivable from affiliate

     11,176  

Total assets

   $ 206,069,695  
Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

   $ 173,055  

Distributions payable

     3,370  

Payable to affiliates:

  

Distribution and service fees

     6,009  

Trustees’ fees

     125  

Accrued expenses

     59,239  

Total liabilities

   $ 241,798  

Net Assets

   $ 205,827,897  
Sources of Net Assets

 

Paid-in capital

   $ 202,928,421  

Distributable earnings

     2,899,476  

Total

   $ 205,827,897  
Class A Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 28,309,276  

Shares Outstanding

     2,828,670  

Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 10.01  

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

  

(100 ÷ 95.25 of net asset value per share)

   $ 10.51  
Class I Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 177,518,621  

Shares Outstanding

     17,763,408  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 9.99  

On sales of $50,000 or more, the offering price of Class A shares is reduced.

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Interest allocated from Portfolio

   $ 6,330,601  

Dividends allocated from Portfolio

     73,986  

Expenses allocated from Portfolio

     (935,026

Total investment income from Portfolio

   $ 5,469,561  
Expenses

 

Distribution and service fees

  

Class A

   $ 73,523  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     500  

Custodian fee

     23,302  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     57,237  

Legal and accounting services

     27,500  

Printing and postage

     21,162  

Registration fees

     47,924  

Miscellaneous

     10,372  

Total expenses

   $ 261,520  

Deduct —

  

Allocation of expenses to affiliate

   $ 187,986  

Total expense reductions

   $ 187,986  

Net expenses

   $ 73,534  

Net investment income

   $ 5,396,027  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) from Portfolio

 

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 2,061,804  

Financial futures contracts

     2,697,858  

Net realized gain

   $ 4,759,662  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 7,280,224  

Financial futures contracts

     (1,328,084

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 5,952,140  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 10,711,802  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 16,107,829  

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 5,396,027      $ 5,040,012  

Net realized gain (loss)

     4,759,662        (2,479,961

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     5,952,140        (3,209,441

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 16,107,829      $ (649,390

Distributions to shareholders —

     

Class A

   $ (963,106    $ (955,400

Class I

     (5,772,342      (4,523,043

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (6,735,448    $ (5,478,443

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

     

Proceeds from sale of shares

     

Class A

   $ 12,358,118      $ 17,879,570  

Class I

     108,295,651        59,409,118  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

     

Class A

     923,776        919,296  

Class I

     5,760,672        4,324,343  

Cost of shares redeemed

     

Class A

     (11,648,518      (26,440,216

Class I

     (93,611,358      (40,364,801

Net increase in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ 22,078,341      $ 15,727,310  

Net increase in net assets

   $ 31,450,722      $ 9,599,477  
Net Assets

 

At beginning of year

   $ 174,377,175      $ 164,777,698  

At end of year

   $ 205,827,897      $ 174,377,175  

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Class A  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 9.490      $ 9.840      $ 9.690      $ 9.690      $ 9.980  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                             

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.260      $ 0.273      $ 0.217      $ 0.168      $ 0.173  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.587        (0.338      0.187        0.075        (0.201

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 0.847      $ (0.065    $ 0.404      $ 0.243      $ (0.028
Less Distributions                                             

From net investment income

   $ (0.278    $ (0.285    $ (0.254    $ (0.243    $ (0.258

From net realized gain

     (0.049                           (0.004

Total distributions

   $ (0.327    $ (0.285    $ (0.254    $ (0.243    $ (0.262

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 10.010      $ 9.490      $ 9.840      $ 9.690      $ 9.690  

Total Return(2)(3)

     9.00      (0.64 )%       4.20      2.48      (0.31 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                             

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 28,309      $ 25,158      $ 34,064      $ 37,290      $ 34,501  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(4)

              

Expenses(3)(5)

     0.74      0.74      0.75      0.75      0.75

Net investment income

     2.63      2.85      2.21      1.69      1.75

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio

     89      65      123      132      159

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3) 

The investment adviser of the Portfolio and/or the administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.11%, 0.11%, 0.11%, 0.11% and 0.21% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses.

 

(5) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class I  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016      2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 9.470      $ 9.830      $ 9.680      $ 9.680      $ 9.960  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                             

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.283      $ 0.282      $ 0.241      $ 0.193      $ 0.199  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     0.588        (0.333      0.187        0.074        (0.193

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 0.871      $ (0.051    $ 0.428      $ 0.267      $ 0.006  
Less Distributions                                             

From net investment income

   $ (0.302    $ (0.309    $ (0.278    $ (0.267    $ (0.282

From net realized gain

     (0.049                           (0.004

Total distributions

   $ (0.351    $ (0.309    $ (0.278    $ (0.267    $ (0.286

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 9.990      $ 9.470      $ 9.830      $ 9.680      $ 9.680  

Total Return(2)(3)

     9.29      (0.50 )%       4.47      2.73      0.04
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                             

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 177,519      $ 149,220      $ 130,714      $ 115,294      $ 55,607  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(4)

              

Expenses(3)(5)

     0.49      0.49      0.50      0.50      0.50

Net investment income

     2.87      2.95      2.46      1.95      2.01

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio

     89      65      123      132      159

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(3) 

The investment adviser of the Portfolio and/or the administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.11%, 0.11%, 0.11%, 0.11% and 0.21% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses.

 

(5) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund (the Fund) is a diversified series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund offers two classes of shares. Class A shares are generally sold subject to a sales charge imposed at time of purchase. Class I shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge. Each class represents a pro-rata interest in the Fund, but votes separately on class-specific matters and (as noted below) is subject to different expenses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Net investment income, other than class-specific expenses, is allocated daily to each class of shares based upon the ratio of the value of each class’s paid shares to the total value of all paid shares. Each class of shares differs in its distribution plan and certain other class-specific expenses. The Fund invests all of its investable assets in interests in Core Bond Portfolio (the Portfolio), a Massachusetts business trust, having the same investment objectives and policies as the Fund. The value of the Fund’s investment in the Portfolio reflects the Fund’s proportionate interest in the net assets of the Portfolio (34.8% at December 31, 2019). The performance of the Fund is directly affected by the performance of the Portfolio. The financial statements of the Portfolio, including the portfolio of investments, are included elsewhere in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — Valuation of securities by the Portfolio is discussed in Note 1A of the Portfolio’s Notes to Financial Statements, which are included elsewhere in this report.

B  Income — The Fund’s net investment income or loss consists of the Fund’s pro-rata share of the net investment income or loss of the Portfolio, less all actual and accrued expenses of the Fund.

C  Federal Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

D  Expenses — The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

E  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

F  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

G  Other — Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

The Fund declares dividends daily to shareholders of record at the time of declaration. Distributions are generally paid monthly. Distributions of realized capital gains are made at least annually. Distributions are declared separately for each class of shares. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund at the net asset value as of the reinvestment date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

 

  12  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018  

Ordinary income

   $ 6,671,580      $ 5,478,443  

Long-term capital gains

   $ 63,868      $  

During the year ended December 31, 2019, distributable earnings was decreased by $75,562 and paid-in capital was increased by $75,562 due to the Fund’s use of equalization accounting. Tax equalization accounting allows the Fund to treat as a distribution that portion of redemption proceeds representing a redeeming shareholder’s portion of undistributed taxable income and net capital gains. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.

As of December 31, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   

Post October capital losses

  $ (74,983

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 2,977,829  

Distributions payable

  $ (3,370

At December 31, 2019, the Fund had a net capital loss of $74,983 attributable to security transactions incurred after October 31, 2019 that it has elected to defer. This net capital loss is treated as arising on the first day of the Fund’s taxable year ending December 31, 2020.

3  Transactions with Affiliates

Eaton Vance Management (EVM) serves as the administrator of the Fund, but receives no compensation. The Portfolio has engaged Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of EVM, to render investment advisory services. See Note 2 of the Portfolio’s Notes to Financial Statements which are included elsewhere in this report. EVM has agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent that total annual operating expenses (relating to ordinary operating expenses only) exceed 0.74% and 0.49% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class A and Class I, respectively. This agreement may be changed or terminated after April 30, 2020. Pursuant to this agreement, EVM was allocated $187,986 of the Fund’s operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019.

EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2019, EVM earned $4,880 from the Fund pursuant to such agreement, which is included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations. The Fund was informed that Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM and the Fund’s principal underwriter, received $7,189 as its portion of the sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the year ended December 31, 2019. EVD also received distribution and service fees from Class A shares (see Note 4).

Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund and the Portfolio are officers of the above organizations.

4  Distribution Plan

The Fund has in effect a distribution plan for Class A shares (Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund pays EVD a distribution and service fee of 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution services and facilities provided to the Fund by EVD, as well as for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Distribution and service fees paid or accrued to EVD for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $73,523 for Class A shares.

Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2341(d).

5  Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

Class A shares may be subject to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) if redeemed within 18 months of purchase (depending on the circumstances of purchase). Generally, the CDSC is based upon the lower of the net asset value at date of redemption or date of purchase. No charge is levied on shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund was informed that EVD received no CDSCs paid by Class A shareholders.

 

  13  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

6  Investment Transactions

For the year ended December 31, 2019, increases and decreases in the Fund’s investment in the Portfolio aggregated $92,552,895 and $77,414,204, respectively.

7  Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Such shares may be issued in a number of different series (such as the Fund) and classes. Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class A    2019      2018  

Sales

     1,260,246        1,867,429  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     93,092        96,166  

Redemptions

     (1,176,422      (2,774,477

Net increase (decrease)

     176,916        (810,882
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class I    2019      2018  

Sales

     10,946,987        6,221,419  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     581,278        453,570  

Redemptions

     (9,515,425      (4,226,204

Net increase

     2,012,840        2,448,785  

At December 31, 2019, donor advised and pooled income funds (established and maintained by a public charity) managed by EVM and an Eaton Vance collective investment trust owned in the aggregate 51.6% of the value of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

 

  14  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust), as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  15  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you received in February 2020 showed the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2019. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of capital gains dividends.

Capital Gains Dividends.  The Fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended December 31, 2019, $63,868 or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.

 

  16  


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

Corporate Bonds & Notes — 32.6%

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Aerospace & Defense — 0.3%  

Azul Investments LLP, 5.875%, 10/26/24(1)

  $ 625     $ 649,953  

WestJet Airlines, Ltd., 3.50%, 6/16/21(1)

    985       1,000,852  
      $ 1,650,805  
Automotive — 1.9%  

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 2.853%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.81%), 4/5/21(2)

  $ 705     $ 701,885  

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 2.881%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.88%), 10/12/21(2)

    1,566       1,552,993  

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 2.979%, 8/3/22

    2,203       2,206,047  

Ford Motor Credit Co., LLC, 4.140%, 2/15/23

    300       308,662  

General Motors Co., 4.20%, 10/1/27

    2,383       2,491,538  

General Motors Co., 5.40%, 4/1/48

    1,563       1,617,078  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 2.862%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.85%), 4/9/21(2)

    805       806,778  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.033%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.99%), 1/5/23(2)

    1,110       1,104,044  

General Motors Financial Co., Inc., 3.50%, 11/7/24

    453       466,778  
      $ 11,255,803  
Banks — 11.3%  

Alliance Data Systems Corp.,
4.75%, 12/15/24(1)

  $ 1,337     $ 1,337,000  

Banco Safra SA, 4.125%, 2/8/23(1)

    1,210       1,243,789  

Bank of America Corp., 2.314%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.38%), 1/23/22(2)

    2,207       2,209,940  

Bank of America Corp., 2.881% to 4/24/22, 4/24/23(3)

    1,425       1,450,281  

Bank of America Corp., 3.124% to 1/20/22, 1/20/23(3)

    2,420       2,468,689  

Bank of America Corp., 3.30%, 1/11/23

    1,237       1,279,339  

Bank of America Corp., 3.499% to 5/17/21, 5/17/22(3)

    1,005       1,025,160  

Bank of America Corp., 3.55% to
3/5/23, 3/5/24(3)

    2,400       2,491,982  

Bank of America Corp., 3.593% to 7/21/27, 7/21/28(3)

    5,030       5,330,194  

Bank of America Corp., 3.974% to 2/7/29, 2/7/30(3)

    807       887,203  

Barclays PLC, 4.836%, 5/9/28

    1,610       1,735,661  

Capital One Bank (USA), N.A., 3.375%, 2/15/23

    892       921,613  

Capital One Financial Corp., 2.656%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.72%), 1/30/23(2)

    2,300       2,303,684  

Capital One Financial Corp., 3.30%, 10/30/24

    3,227       3,359,975  

Capital One Financial Corp., 3.75%, 4/24/24

    700       737,091  

Citigroup, Inc., 2.976% to 11/5/29, 11/5/30(3)

    1,748       1,774,766  

Citigroup, Inc., 3.142% to 1/24/22, 1/24/23(3)

    1,302       1,329,040  

Citigroup, Inc., 3.668% to 7/24/27, 7/24/28(3)

    1,685       1,795,632  

Citigroup, Inc., 3.70%, 1/12/26

    1,000       1,066,263  

Citigroup, Inc., 3.887% to 1/10/27, 1/10/28(3)

    909       979,190  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Banks (continued)  

Citigroup, Inc., 4.075% to 4/23/28, 4/23/29(3)

  $ 1,855     $ 2,032,534  

Citizens Financial Group, Inc., 4.30%, 12/3/25

    1,399       1,503,146  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 2.50%, 9/18/22(1)

    1,050       1,063,789  

Commonwealth Bank of Australia, 3.61% to 9/12/29, 9/12/34(1)(3)

    982       987,610  

Deutsche Bank AG, 3.192%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.29%), 2/4/21(2)

    2,450       2,454,475  

Discover Bank, 4.682% to 8/9/23, 8/9/28(3)

    1,200       1,255,080  

Discover Financial Services, 3.95%, 11/6/24

    490       520,169  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 2.905% to 7/24/22, 7/24/23(3)

    1,909       1,943,619  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 3.75%, 2/25/26

    970       1,026,553  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 3.85%, 1/26/27

    1,510       1,607,091  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The), 5.75%, 1/24/22

    951       1,020,810  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.70%, 5/18/23

    1,988       2,028,704  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 2.739% to 10/15/29, 10/15/30(3)

    2,156       2,155,667  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.782% to 2/1/27, 2/1/28(3)

    1,000       1,077,986  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 3.797% to 7/23/23, 7/23/24(3)

    1,500       1,580,967  

JPMorgan Chase & Co., 5.625%, 8/16/43

    628       840,636  

Morgan Stanley, 3.772% to 1/24/28, 1/24/29(3)

    1,020       1,097,460  

Morgan Stanley, 4.00%, 7/23/25

    1,920       2,077,599  

Morgan Stanley, 4.875%, 11/1/22

    1,132       1,213,111  

PPTT, 2006-A GS, Class A, 5.932%(1)(4)(5)

    259       262,650  

Regions Financial Corp., 2.75%, 8/14/22

    640       651,458  

Santander Holdings USA, Inc., 4.50%, 7/17/25

    712       768,444  

Synovus Financial Corp., 3.125%, 11/1/22

    622       629,822  

Western Union Co. (The), 2.85%, 1/10/25

    1,314       1,318,692  
      $ 66,844,564  
Building Materials — 0.8%  

Owens Corning, 3.95%, 8/15/29

  $ 4,100     $ 4,270,261  

Vulcan Materials Co., 4.50%, 6/15/47

    479       525,751  
      $ 4,796,012  
Chemicals — 1.5%  

Alpek SAB de CV, 4.25%, 9/18/29(1)

  $ 920     $ 940,010  

Braskem Netherlands Finance BV, 4.50%, 1/31/30(1)

    2,288       2,279,992  

Braskem Netherlands Finance BV, 5.875%, 1/31/50(1)

    2,288       2,275,988  

Celanese US Holdings, LLC, 3.50%, 5/8/24

    1,750       1,809,386  

Huntsman International, LLC, 4.50%, 5/1/29

    1,627       1,728,054  
      $ 9,033,430  
Commercial Services — 0.2%  

Ashtead Capital, Inc., 4.25%, 11/1/29(1)

  $ 1,112     $ 1,138,410  
      $ 1,138,410  
 

 

  17   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Computers — 0.6%  

Dell International, LLC/EMC Corp., 4.42%, 6/15/21(1)

  $ 1,350     $ 1,389,323  

DXC Technology Co., 4.25%, 4/15/24

    229       243,222  

DXC Technology Co., 4.75%, 4/15/27

    983       1,058,468  

Hewlett Packard Enterprise Co., 2.763%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.72%), 10/5/21(2)

    1,079       1,079,148  
      $ 3,770,161  
Diversified Financial Services — 2.8%  

Air Lease Corp., 3.375%, 6/1/21

  $ 700     $ 711,913  

Ally Financial, Inc., 4.125%, 3/30/20

    1,160       1,165,730  

Banco BTG Pactual SA/Cayman Islands, 4.50%, 1/10/25(1)

    3,000       3,045,000  

Brookfield Finance, Inc., 3.90%, 1/25/28

    1,943       2,090,416  

Credit Acceptance Corp., 5.125%, 12/31/24(1)

    660       687,034  

Jefferies Group, LLC/Jefferies Group Capital Finance, Inc., 4.15%, 1/23/30

    2,336       2,475,991  

KKR Group Finance Co. VI, LLC, 3.75%, 7/1/29(1)

    1,589       1,693,402  

Neuberger Berman Group, LLC/Neuberger Berman Finance Corp., 4.50%, 3/15/27(1)

    432       460,636  

Neuberger Berman Group, LLC/Neuberger Berman Finance Corp., 4.875%, 4/15/45(1)

    707       726,387  

Synchrony Financial, 3.132%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.23%), 2/3/20(2)

    3,465       3,467,767  
      $ 16,524,276  
Electric Utilities — 0.3%  

Entergy Corp., 4.00%, 7/15/22

  $ 1,046     $ 1,091,759  

ITC Holdings Corp., 4.05%, 7/1/23

    680       713,879  
      $ 1,805,638  
Electrical and Electronic Equipment — 0.8%  

Jabil, Inc., 3.95%, 1/12/28

  $ 2,136     $ 2,194,016  

Jabil, Inc., 4.70%, 9/15/22

    959       1,016,460  

NXP B.V./NXP Funding, LLC, 4.625%, 6/1/23(1)

    1,100       1,176,147  
      $ 4,386,623  
Energy — 0.2%  

Empresa Electrica Cochrane SpA, 5.50%, 5/14/27(1)

  $ 905     $ 946,856  
      $ 946,856  
Foods — 0.5%  

Smithfield Foods, Inc., 2.65%, 10/3/21(1)

  $ 1,304     $ 1,296,438  

Smithfield Foods, Inc., 3.35%, 2/1/22(1)

    1,482       1,486,518  
      $ 2,782,956  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Health Care — 0.1%  

Centene Corp., 4.25%, 12/15/27(1)

  $ 798     $ 822,419  
      $ 822,419  
Healthcare Products — 0.2%  

Becton Dickinson and Co., 2.836%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.88%), 12/29/20(2)

  $ 1,315     $ 1,315,669  
      $ 1,315,669  
Insurance — 0.2%  

Marsh & McLennan Cos., Inc., 3.161%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.20%), 12/29/21(2)

  $ 753     $ 753,714  

Principal Financial Group, Inc., 4.30%, 11/15/46

    534       603,405  
      $ 1,357,119  
Internet Software & Services — 0.1%  

Twitter, Inc., 3.875%, 12/15/27(1)

  $ 818     $ 819,620  
      $ 819,620  
Machinery — 0.7%  

nVent Finance S.a.r.l., 4.55%, 4/15/28

  $ 2,700     $ 2,801,786  

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp., 3.194%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.30%),
9/15/21(2)

    431       431,068  

Westinghouse Air Brake Technologies Corp., 4.95%, 9/15/28

    566       622,784  
      $ 3,855,638  
Media — 0.8%  

Comcast Corp., 2.349%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.44%), 10/1/21(2)

  $ 960     $ 964,973  

Comcast Corp., 4.70%, 10/15/48

    613       755,592  

Discovery Communications, LLC, 5.20%, 9/20/47

    2,560       2,980,346  
      $ 4,700,911  
Oil and Gas — 1.6%  

National Oilwell Varco, Inc., 3.60%, 12/1/29

  $ 3,850     $ 3,862,895  

Neptune Energy Bondco PLC, 6.625%, 5/15/25(1)

    2,381       2,385,452  

Noble Energy, Inc., 3.90%, 11/15/24

    937       990,278  

Oceaneering International, Inc., 4.65%, 11/15/24

    576       565,920  

Patterson-UTI Energy, Inc., 3.95%, 2/1/28

    1,830       1,779,070  
      $ 9,583,615  
 

 

  18   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Pharmaceuticals — 1.3%  

CVS Health Corp., 3.00%, 8/15/26

  $ 2,836     $ 2,894,318  

CVS Health Corp., 4.10%, 3/25/25

    998       1,071,159  

CVS Health Corp., 4.30%, 3/25/28

    3,219       3,515,552  
      $ 7,481,029  
Pipelines — 0.8%  

Gulfstream Natural Gas, 4.60%, 9/15/25(1)

  $ 431     $ 465,939  

Plains All America Pipeline, L.P./PAA Finance Corp., 3.55%, 12/15/29

    1,851       1,825,645  

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, 5.00%, 3/15/27

    750       825,363  

Sabine Pass Liquefaction, LLC, 5.625%, 3/1/25

    880       990,817  

Sunoco Logistics Partners Operations, L.P., 4.40%, 4/1/21

    582       596,023  
      $ 4,703,787  
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 1.6%  

DDR Corp., 3.625%, 2/1/25

  $ 874     $ 901,313  

Digital Realty Trust, L.P., 3.70%, 8/15/27

    1,272       1,347,555  

Newmark Group, Inc., 6.125%, 11/15/23

    2,890       3,186,813  

SBA Tower Trust, 2.836%, 1/15/25(1)

    3,865       3,907,669  
      $ 9,343,350  
Retail – Specialty and Apparel — 1.4%  

Best Buy Co., Inc., 4.45%, 10/1/28

  $ 1,020     $ 1,118,971  

Nordstrom, Inc., 4.375%, 4/1/30

    1,398       1,426,579  

Nordstrom, Inc., 5.00%, 1/15/44

    1,835       1,797,371  

Reliance Intermediate Holdings, L.P., 6.50%, 4/1/23(1)

    295       303,235  

Tapestry, Inc., 4.125%, 7/15/27

    3,491       3,567,487  
      $ 8,213,643  
Technology — 0.1%  

Western Digital Corp., 4.75%, 2/15/26

  $ 700     $ 731,063  
      $ 731,063  
Telecommunications — 1.2%  

AT&T, Inc., 4.30%, 2/15/30

  $ 3,197     $ 3,554,802  

AT&T, Inc., 4.50%, 3/9/48

    2,250       2,486,460  

AT&T, Inc., 5.35%, 12/15/43

    1,000       1,186,808  
      $ 7,228,070  
Transportation — 0.4%  

SMBC Aviation Capital Finance DAC, 3.00%, 7/15/22(1)

  $ 914     $ 930,169  

SMBC Aviation Capital Finance DAC, 3.55%, 4/15/24(1)

    1,200       1,246,318  
      $ 2,176,487  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Utilities — 0.9%  

American Water Capital Corp., 2.95%, 9/1/27

  $ 1,426     $ 1,457,176  

Baltimore Gas & Electric Co., 3.50%, 8/15/46

    1,580       1,607,014  

Southern Co. Gas Capital Corp., 2.45%, 10/1/23

    1,060       1,067,362  

Southern Co. Gas Capital Corp., 3.95%, 10/1/46

    1,270       1,312,002  
      $ 5,443,554  

Total Corporate Bonds & Notes
(identified cost $186,453,798)

 

  $ 192,711,508  
Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities — 9.0%

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.:            

Pool #A93547, 4.50%, 8/1/40

  $ 676     $ 735,050  

Pool #C03490, 4.50%, 8/1/40

    494       537,646  

Pool #C09031, 2.50%, 2/1/43

    1,575       1,571,325  

Pool #G07589, 5.50%, 6/1/41

    2,270       2,558,023  

Pool #G08596, 4.50%, 7/1/44

    665       716,818  

Pool #G08670, 3.00%, 10/1/45

    1,235       1,266,448  

Pool #G08701, 3.00%, 4/1/46

    1,876       1,922,826  

Pool #G08717, 4.00%, 8/1/46

    1,557       1,645,739  

Pool #G08738, 3.50%, 12/1/46

    1,557       1,619,795  

Pool #G08758, 4.00%, 4/1/47

    1,405       1,474,831  

Pool #G60608, 4.00%, 5/1/46

    2,671       2,835,381  

Pool #G60761, 3.00%, 10/1/43

    1,796       1,849,282  

Pool #Q17453, 3.50%, 4/1/43

    1,499       1,578,187  

Pool #Q34310, 3.50%, 6/1/45

    1,648       1,724,658  

Pool #Q40264, 3.50%, 5/1/46

    1,358       1,415,277  

Pool #Q45051, 3.00%, 12/1/46

    3,018       3,106,254  

Pool #Q46889, 3.50%, 3/1/47

    2,246       2,360,649  

Pool #Q47999, 4.00%, 5/1/47

    2,916       3,106,895  
      $ 32,025,084  
Federal National Mortgage Association:            

Pool #AB3678, 3.50%, 10/1/41

  $ 3,083     $ 3,273,435  

Pool #AL7524, 5.00%, 7/1/41

    719       788,799  

Pool #AS3892, 4.00%, 11/1/44

    950       1,011,004  

Pool #AS5332, 4.00%, 7/1/45

    998       1,061,877  

Pool #AS6014, 4.00%, 10/1/45

    695       740,107  

Pool #AS9721, 4.00%, 6/1/47

    2,316       2,434,676  

Pool #BA0891, 3.50%, 1/1/46

    2,062       2,151,869  

Pool #BA3938, 3.50%, 1/1/46

    1,570       1,638,454  

Pool #BD1183, 3.50%, 12/1/46

    1,090       1,135,161  

Pool #BE2316, 3.50%, 1/1/47

    2,664       2,767,317  
 

 

  19   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Federal National Mortgage Association: (continued)            

Pool #MA1789, 4.50%, 2/1/44

  $ 677     $ 730,595  

Pool #MA2653, 4.00%, 6/1/46

    1,620       1,710,893  
      $ 19,444,187  
Government National Mortgage Association:            

Pool #AQ1784, 3.50%, 12/20/45

  $ 1,522     $ 1,615,537  
      $ 1,615,537  

Total Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities
(identified cost $52,648,225)

 

  $ 53,084,808  
Collateralized Mortgage Obligations — 7.0%

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp.:            

Series 4030, Class PA, 3.50%, 6/15/40

  $ 1,101     $ 1,116,791  

Series 4423, Class A, 3.50%, 10/15/39

    590       592,064  
      $ 1,708,855  
Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corp. Structured
Agency Credit Risk Debt Notes:
           

Series 2017-DNA3, Class M3, 4.292%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 3/25/30(2)

  $ 1,889     $ 1,934,911  

Series 2018-DNA1, Class M1, 2.242%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.45%), 7/25/30(2)

    480       480,635  

Series 2018-DNA1, Class M2AT, 2.842%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.05%), 7/25/30(2)

    1,755       1,753,147  

Series 2019-DNA3, Class M1, 2.522%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.73%), 7/25/49(1)(2)

    419       419,613  

Series 2019-DNA3, Class M2, 3.842%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.05%), 7/25/49(1)(2)

    2,688       2,702,942  

Series 2019-DNA4, Class M1, 2.492%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.70%),
10/25/49(1)(2)

    1,005       1,006,153  

Series 2019-HQA2, Class M2, 3.842%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.05%), 4/25/49(1)(2)

    1,210       1,215,784  

Series 2019-HQA3, Class M1, 2.542%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.75%), 9/25/49(1)(2)

    355       355,545  

Series 2019-HQA3, Class M2, 3.642%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.85%), 9/25/49(1)(2)

    304       304,258  
      $ 10,172,988  
Federal National Mortgage Association:            

Series 2005-58, Class MA, 5.50%, 7/25/35

  $ 190     $ 206,763  

Series 2011-135, Class PK, 4.50%, 5/25/40

    733       752,731  

Series 2013-6, Class HD, 1.50%, 12/25/42

    196       188,160  

Series 2014-70, Class KP, 3.50%, 3/25/44

    1,030       1,077,405  

Series 2018-M4, Class A2, 3.045%, 3/25/28(6)

    1,721       1,803,145  

Series 2019-M1, Class A2, 3.555%, 9/25/28(6)

    4,835       5,236,838  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Federal National Mortgage Association: (continued)            

Series 2019-M9, Class A2,
2.937%, 4/25/29(6)

  $ 1,290     $ 1,336,337  

Series 2019-M22, Class A2, 2.522%, 8/25/29(6)

    5,900       5,923,966  
      $ 16,525,345  
Federal National Mortgage Association Connecticut
Avenue Securities:
           

Series 2013-C01, Class M2, 7.042%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 5.25%), 10/25/23(2)

  $ 1,957     $ 2,159,334  

Series 2014-C02, Class 1M2, 4.392%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.60%), 5/25/24(2)

    1,887       1,973,599  

Series 2014-C02, Class 2M2, 4.392%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.60%), 5/25/24(2)

    798       828,849  

Series 2014-C03, Class 1M2, 4.792%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.00%), 7/25/24(2)

    1,011       1,065,395  

Series 2014-C03, Class 2M2, 4.692%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.90%), 7/25/24(2)

    1,589       1,659,630  

Series 2017-C06, Class 1M2, 4.442%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.65%), 2/25/30(2)

    1,275       1,307,622  

Series 2018-C03, Class 1M1, 2.472%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.68%), 10/25/30(2)

    222       222,636  

Series 2019-R05, Class 1M1, 2.542%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.75%), 7/25/39(1)(2)

    500       500,327  

Series 2019-R05, Class 1M2, 3.792%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 7/25/39(1)(2)

    875       880,248  

Series 2019-R06, Class 2M1, 2.542%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.75%), 9/25/39(1)(2)

    2,139       2,142,293  
      $ 12,739,933  

Total Collateralized Mortgage Obligations
(identified cost $41,054,642)

 

  $ 41,147,121  
Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities — 9.3%

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
BAMLL Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust            

Series 2019-BPR, Class DNM, 3.843%, 11/5/32(1)(6)

  $ 3,325     $ 3,305,296  

Series 2019-BPR, Class FNM, 3.843%, 11/5/32(1)(6)

    1,635       1,391,494  
BX Commercial Mortgage Trust            

Series 2019-XL, Class A, 2.66%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.92%), 10/15/36(1)(2)

    3,320       3,326,698  

Series 2019-XL, Class B, 2.82%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.08%), 10/15/36(1)(2)

    1,320       1,323,261  
CFCRE Commercial Mortgage Trust            

Series 2016-C7, Class C,
4.432%, 12/10/54(6)

    1,250       1,310,524  

Series 2016-C7, Class D,
4.432%, 12/10/54(1)(6)

    2,000       1,975,739  
Citigroup Commercial Mortgage Trust            

Series 2017-MDRB, Class C, 4.24%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 7/15/30(1)(2)

    3,000       3,001,589  
 

 

  20   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
COMM Mortgage Trust            

Series 2014-CR19, Class A3, 3.53%, 8/10/47

  $ 2,536     $ 2,534,537  

Series 2014-CR21, Class C, 4.428%, 12/10/47(6)

    500       524,819  
Credit Suisse Mortgage Trust            

Series 2016-NXSR, Class C, 4.36%, 12/15/49(6)

    1,775       1,839,506  
JPMBB Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust            

Series 2014-C22, Class C, 4.557%, 9/15/47(6)

    2,530       2,584,340  

Series 2014-C22, Class D, 4.557%, 9/15/47(1)(6)

    990       903,630  

Series 2014-C25, Class D, 3.951%, 11/15/47(1)(6)

    1,960       1,765,148  
JPMorgan Chase Commercial Mortgage
Securities Trust
           

Series 2011-C5, Class D,
5.418%, 8/15/46(1)(6)

    2,000       2,043,198  

Series 2012-CBX, Class AS, 4.271%, 6/15/45

    3,325       3,461,312  

Series 2013-C13, Class D, 4.065%, 1/15/46(1)(6)

    2,000       2,058,658  
Morgan Stanley Capital I Trust            

Series 2016-UB12, Class D, 3.312%, 12/15/49(1)

    1,745       1,359,109  

Series 2019-BPR, Class A, 3.14%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.40%), 5/15/36(1)(2)

    2,500       2,498,149  
Motel 6 Trust            

Series 2017-MTL6, Class C, 3.14%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.40%), 8/15/34(1)(2)

    2,391       2,393,726  

Series 2017-MTL6, Class D, 3.89%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.15%), 8/15/34(1)(2)

    494       494,946  
Natixis Commercial Mortgage Securities Trust            

Series 2018-FL1, Class C, 3.965%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.20%), 6/15/35(1)(2)

    5,000       4,980,127  
RETL Trust            

Series 2019-RVP, Class A, 2.89%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.15%), 3/15/36(1)(2)

    1,831       1,834,490  

Series 2019-RVP, Class B, 3.29%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.55%), 3/15/36(1)(2)

    2,550       2,555,980  
Toorak Mortgage Corp., Ltd.            

Series 2018-1, Class A1, 4.336% to 4/25/21, 8/25/21(1)(7)

    1,330       1,338,482  
VMC Finance, LLC            

Series 2018-FL2, Class A, 2.657%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.92%), 10/15/35(1)(2)

    2,857       2,862,968  
Wells Fargo Commercial Mortgage Trust            

Series 2015-LC22, Class C, 4.534%, 9/15/58(6)

    900       947,875  

Series 2016-C35, Class D, 3.142%, 7/15/48(1)

    500       436,094  

Total Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities
(identified cost $53,987,502)

 

  $ 55,051,695  
Asset-Backed Securities — 17.9%

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Adams Outdoor Advertising L.P.            

Series 2018-1, Class A, 4.81%, 11/15/48(1)

  $ 738     $ 766,182  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Avant Loans Funding Trust            

Series 2019-A, Class A, 3.48%, 7/15/22(1)

  $ 421     $ 423,035  

Series 2019-B, Class A, 2.72%, 10/15/26(1)

    1,809       1,810,991  
Avis Budget Rental Car Funding, LLC            

Series 2014-2A, Class A, 2.50%, 2/20/21(1)

    2,999       2,999,266  
Canyon Capital CLO, Ltd.            

Series 2016-1A, Class BR, 3.701%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.70%), 7/15/31(1)(2)

    1,000       990,890  

Series 2016-1A, Class DR, 4.801%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.80%), 7/15/31(1)(2)

    1,000       965,293  
Carlyle Global Market Strategies CLO, Ltd.            

Series 2014-3RA, Class A2, 3.486%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.55%), 7/27/31(1)(2)

    1,000       988,980  

Series 2014-3RA, Class C, 4.886%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.95%), 7/27/31(1)(2)

    1,000       930,716  
CarMax Auto Owner Trust            

Series 2016-1, Class C, 2.52%, 10/15/21

    990       991,075  

Series 2017-2, Class A3, 1.93%, 3/15/22

    657       657,135  
CIG Auto Receivables Trust            

Series 2019-1A, Class A, 3.33%, 8/15/24(1)

    1,374       1,382,261  
CNH Equipment Trust            

Series 2017-A, Class A3, 2.07%, 5/16/22

    659       659,328  
Coinstar Funding, LLC            

Series 2017-1A, Class A2, 5.216%, 4/25/47(1)

    1,321       1,356,060  
Conn’s Receivables Funding, LLC            

Series 2018-A, Class A, 3.25%, 1/15/23(1)

    85       85,566  

Series 2019-A, Class A, 3.40%, 10/16/23(1)

    415       418,510  

Series 2019-B, Class A, 2.66%, 6/17/24(1)

    3,592       3,598,163  
Consumer Loan Underlying Bond Credit Trust            

Series 2019-P2, Class A, 2.47%, 10/15/26(1)

    1,613       1,614,333  
Credit Acceptance Auto Loan Trust            

Series 2017-2A, Class A, 2.55%, 2/17/26(1)

    1,135       1,136,130  
DB Master Finance, LLC            

Series 2017-1A, Class A2II, 4.03%, 11/20/47(1)

    333       341,373  
Drive Auto Receivables Trust            

Series 2017-BA, Class D, 3.72%, 10/17/22(1)

    896       899,912  

Series 2018-1, Class C, 3.22%, 3/15/23

    951       952,989  
Driven Brands Funding, LLC            

Series 2018-1A, Class A2, 4.739%, 4/20/48(1)

    763       793,059  
Dryden Senior Loan Fund            

Series 2018-55A, Class D, 4.851%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.85%), 4/15/31(1)(2)

    1,000       945,137  
Enterprise Fleet Financing, LLC            

Series 2017-1, Class A2, 2.13%, 7/20/22(1)

    349       348,735  
Exeter Automobile Receivables Trust            

Series 2017-1A, Class B, 3.00%, 12/15/21(1)

    796       796,888  

Series 2019-3A, Class A, 2.59%, 9/15/22(1)

    1,563       1,565,903  
 

 

  21   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
FOCUS Brands Funding, LLC            

Series 2017-1A, Class A2II,
5.093%, 4/30/47(1)

  $ 975     $ 1,025,683  
Foundation Finance Trust            

Series 2017-1A, Class A, 3.30%, 7/15/33(1)

    1,301       1,307,242  
FREED ABS Trust            

Series 2019-2, Class A, 2.62%, 11/18/26(1)

    4,357       4,357,416  
Hardee’s Funding, LLC            

Series 2018-1A, Class A2I, 4.25%, 6/20/48(1)

    968       974,573  
Hertz Fleet Lease Funding, L.P.            

Series 2017-1, Class A2, 2.13%, 4/10/31(1)

    426       427,326  
Horizon Aircraft Finance I, Ltd.            

Series 2018-1, Class A, 4.458%, 12/15/38(1)

    3,249       3,337,288  
Horizon Aircraft Finance III, Ltd.            

Series 2019-2, Class A, 3.425%, 11/15/39(1)

    1,600       1,592,999  
Jack in the Box Funding, LLC            

Series 2019-1A, Class A2I,
3.982%, 8/25/49(1)

    1,110       1,119,568  
LL ABS Trust            

Series 2019-1A, Class A, 2.87%, 3/15/27(1)

    1,975       1,975,161  
MelTel Land Funding, LLC            

Series 2019-1A, Class B, 4.701%, 4/15/49(1)

    960       983,547  
Mercedes-Benz Auto Lease Trust            

Series 2019-A, Class A2, 3.01%, 2/16/21

    1,226       1,227,920  
Mercedes-Benz Auto Receivables Trust            

Series 2016-1, Class A3, 1.26%, 2/16/21

    38       37,940  
OneMain Financial Issuance Trust            

Series 2017-1A, Class A1, 2.37%, 9/14/32(1)

    1,890       1,889,777  
OSCAR US Funding X, LLC            

Series 2019-1A, Class A2, 3.10%, 4/11/22(1)

    1,352       1,358,601  
Planet Fitness Master Issuer, LLC            

Series 2018-1A, Class A2I, 4.262%, 9/5/48(1)

    2,054       2,093,484  

Series 2019-1A, Class A2,
3.858%, 12/5/49(1)

    1,040       1,026,484  
Prestige Auto Receivables Trust            

Series 2019-1A, Class A2, 2.44%, 7/15/22(1)

    1,298       1,299,765  
Prosper Marketplace Issuance Trust            

Series 2018-1A, Class B, 3.90%, 6/17/24(1)

    280       280,578  

Series 2018-2A, Class A, 3.35%, 10/15/24(1)

    720       721,908  
Purchasing Power Funding, LLC            

Series 2018-A, Class A, 3.34%, 8/15/22(1)

    6,000       6,009,121  
SERVPRO Master Issuer, LLC            

Series 2019-1A, Class A2,
3.882%, 10/25/49(1)

    4,514       4,543,481  
Skopos Auto Receivables Trust            

Series 2019-1A, Class A, 2.90%, 12/15/22(1)

    2,880       2,884,462  
Small Business Lending Trust            

Series 2019-A, Class A, 2.85%, 7/15/26(1)

    1,153       1,152,939  
SpringCastle Funding Asset-Backed Notes            

Series 2019-AA, Class A, 3.20%, 5/27/36(1)

    2,413       2,422,416  
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Springleaf Funding Trust            

Series 2016-AA, Class A,
2.90%, 11/15/29(1)

  $ 463     $ 463,256  
Stack Infrastructure Issuer, LLC            

Series 2019-1A, Class A2,
4.54%, 2/25/44(1)

    5,211       5,458,643  

Series 2019-2A, Class A2,
3.08%, 10/25/44(1)

    710       709,509  
Start, Ltd.            

Series 2019-1, Class B, 5.095%, 3/15/44(1)

    1,623       1,661,837  
TCF Auto Receivables Owner Trust            

Series 2016-PT1A, Class A,
1.93%, 6/15/22(1)

    249       249,179  
Tesla Auto Lease Trust            

Series 2018-B, Class A, 3.71%, 8/20/21(1)

    976       988,372  

Series 2018-B, Class C, 4.36%, 10/20/21(1)

    1,050       1,078,211  

Series 2019-A, Class A3,
2.16%, 10/20/22(1)

    3,680       3,675,070  
Thunderbolt Aircraft Lease, Ltd.            

Series 2017-A, Class B, 5.75% to 4/15/24, 5/17/32(1)(7)

    1,407       1,455,394  
Towd Point Asset Trust            

Series 2018-SL1, Class A, 2.308%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 0.60%), 1/25/46(1)(2)

    4,941       4,865,951  
Upgrade Receivables Trust            

Series 2019-1A, Class B, 4.09%, 3/15/25(1)

    2,000       2,014,864  

Series 2019-2A, Class A,
2.77%, 10/15/25(1)

    3,224       3,229,539  
Upland CLO, Ltd.            

Series 2016-1A, Class CR, 4.866%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.90%), 4/20/31(1)(2)

    1,000       953,031  
Vantage Data Centers Issuer, LLC            

Series 2018-1A, Class A2,
4.072%, 2/16/43(1)

    1,358       1,400,385  

Series 2019-1A, Class A2,
3.188%, 7/15/44(1)

    2,003       2,017,059  
Veros Automobile Receivables Trust            

Series 2018-1, Class A, 3.63%, 5/15/23(1)

    1,231       1,234,163  
Voya CLO, Ltd.            

Series 2018-2A, Class B1, 3.551%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.55%), 7/15/31(1)(2)

    1,000       991,307  
Wheels SPV, LLC            

Series 2017-1A, Class A2,
1.88%, 4/20/26(1)

    768       768,256  

Total Asset-Backed Securities
(identified cost $105,262,134)

          $ 105,681,615  
U.S. Treasury Obligations — 16.2%

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  

U.S. Treasury Bond, 3.00%, 2/15/49

  $ 3,200     $ 3,606,940  

U.S. Treasury Bond, 3.125%, 5/15/48

    1,270       1,461,123  

U.S. Treasury Bond, 3.375%, 11/15/48

    2,070       2,495,374  

U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Note, 0.625%, 4/15/23(8)

    2,771       2,814,439  
 

 

  22   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  

U.S. Treasury Inflation-Protected Note, 0.75%, 7/15/28(8)

  $ 19,571     $ 20,595,508  

U.S. Treasury Note, 1.25%, 8/31/24

    4,900       4,802,638  

U.S. Treasury Note, 1.625%, 6/30/21

    19,480       19,488,184  

U.S. Treasury Note, 1.75%, 7/31/21

    20,085       20,132,708  

U.S. Treasury Note, 1.75%, 7/31/24

    4,253       4,263,410  

U.S. Treasury Note, 1.75%, 11/15/29

    3,401       3,347,460  

U.S. Treasury Note, 2.125%, 3/31/24

    2,050       2,086,580  

U.S. Treasury Note, 2.50%, 2/15/22

    7,500       7,641,364  

U.S. Treasury Note, 2.625%, 12/31/25

    562       588,912  

U.S. Treasury Note, 2.875%, 9/30/23

    2,410       2,515,717  

Total U.S. Treasury Obligations
(identified cost $93,815,555)

 

  $ 95,840,357  
Taxable Municipal Securities — 1.4%

 

Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Special Tax Revenue — 0.2%  

California Health Facilities Financing Authority, (No Place Like Home Program), 3.034%, 6/1/34

  $ 1,430     $ 1,419,418  
      $ 1,419,418  
Water and Sewer — 1.2%  

San Francisco City and County Public Utilities Commission, CA, Water Revenue, Green Bonds, 3.303%, 11/1/39(9)

  $ 6,750     $ 6,741,090  
      $ 6,741,090  

Total Taxable Municipal Securities
(identified cost $8,180,000)

          $ 8,160,508  
Senior Floating-Rate Loans — 2.5%(10)

 

Borrower/Tranche Description   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Building and Development — 0.2%  

Cushman & Wakefield U.S. Borrower, LLC, Term Loan, 5.049%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 8/21/25

  $ 1,234     $ 1,240,739  
      $ 1,240,739  
Cable and Satellite Television — 0.2%  

Ziggo Secured Finance Partnership, Term Loan, 4.24%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 4/15/25

  $ 1,000     $ 1,002,292  
      $ 1,002,292  
Borrower/Tranche Description   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Cosmetics / Toiletries — 0.0%(11)  

Prestige Brands, Inc., Term Loan, 3.799%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 1/26/24

  $ 174     $ 175,425  
      $ 175,425  
Drugs — 0.3%  

Jaguar Holding Company II, Term Loan, 4.299%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 8/18/22

  $ 1,846     $ 1,858,221  
      $ 1,858,221  
Electronics / Electrical — 0.9%  

Epicor Software Corporation, Term Loan, 5.05%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.25%), 6/1/22

  $ 1,082     $ 1,090,960  

Go Daddy Operating Company, LLC, Term Loan, 3.549%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 2/15/24

    179       180,154  

Hyland Software, Inc., Term Loan, 5.299%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 3.50%), 7/1/24

    1,022       1,032,103  

Infor (US), Inc., Term Loan, 4.695%, (3 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 2/1/22

    1,854       1,864,803  

MA FinanceCo., LLC, Term Loan, 4.299%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 6/21/24

    78       78,191  

Seattle Spinco, Inc., Term Loan, 4.299%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 6/21/24

    526       528,039  

SolarWinds Holdings, Inc., Term Loan, 4.549%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 2/5/24

    287       289,642  
      $ 5,063,892  
Equipment Leasing — 0.2%  

Avolon TLB Borrower 1 (US), LLC, Term Loan, 3.515%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 1/15/25

  $ 1,138     $ 1,146,975  
      $ 1,146,975  
Food / Drug Retailers — 0.1%  

Albertsons, LLC, Term Loan, 4.549%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.75%), 11/17/25

  $ 252     $ 254,619  
      $ 254,619  
Health Care — 0.2%  

Change Healthcare Holdings, LLC, Term Loan, 4.299%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 3/1/24

  $ 837     $ 841,409  
      $ 841,409  
Industrial Equipment — 0.0%(11)  

Rexnord, LLC, Term Loan, 3.535%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 8/21/24

  $ 148     $ 149,365  
      $ 149,365  
 

 

  23   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Borrower/Tranche Description   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  
Insurance — 0.1%  

Asurion, LLC, Term Loan, 11/3/23(12)

  $ 800     $ 805,917  
      $ 805,917  
Leisure Goods / Activities / Movies — 0.0%(11)  

Bombardier Recreational Products, Inc., Term Loan, 3.799%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 5/23/25

  $ 247     $ 248,599  
      $ 248,599  
Lodging and Casinos — 0.0%(11)  

ESH Hospitality, Inc., Term Loan, 3.799%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.00%), 9/18/26

  $ 144     $ 145,023  
      $ 145,023  
Telecommunications — 0.3%  

CenturyLink, Inc., Term Loan, 1/31/25(12)

  $ 490     $ 492,586  

Level 3 Financing, Inc., Term Loan, 3.549%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 1.75%), 3/1/27

    250       251,131  

Sprint Communications, Inc., Term Loan, 4.313%, (1 mo. USD LIBOR + 2.50%), 2/2/24

    837       831,590  
      $ 1,575,307  

Total Senior Floating-Rate Loans
(identified cost $14,411,187)

 

  $ 14,507,783  
Short-Term Investments — 5.0%

 

Commercial Paper — 1.2%    
Security   Principal
Amount
(000’s omitted)
    Value  

Jabil, Inc., 2.27%, 2/6/20(1)(13)

  $ 5,830     $ 5,814,673  

Sherwin Williams Co. (The),
2.132%, 1/6/20(1)(13)

    1,280       1,279,667  

Total Commercial Paper
(identified cost $7,096,626)

 

  $ 7,094,340  
Other — 3.8%

 

Description   Units     Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%(14)

    22,272,569     $ 22,272,569  

Total Other
(identified cost $22,271,976)

 

  $ 22,272,569  

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $29,368,602)

 

  $ 29,366,909  

Total Investments — 100.9%
(identified cost $585,181,645)

 

  $ 595,552,304  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.9)%

 

  $ (5,162,516

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 590,389,788  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

  (1) 

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be sold in certain transactions in reliance on an exemption from registration (normally to qualified institutional buyers). At December 31, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities is $196,594,118 or 33.3% of the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

  (2) 

Variable rate security. The stated interest rate represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2019.

 

  (3) 

Security converts to variable rate after the indicated fixed-rate coupon period.

 

  (4) 

Perpetual security with no stated maturity date but may be subject to calls by the issuer.

 

  (5) 

Variable rate security. The stated interest rate, which resets quarterly, is determined at auction and represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2019.

 

  (6) 

Weighted average fixed-rate coupon that changes/updates monthly. Rate shown is the rate at December 31, 2019.

 

  (7) 

Step coupon security. Interest rate represents the rate in effect at December 31, 2019.

 

  (8) 

Inflation-linked security whose principal is adjusted for inflation based on changes in the U.S. Consumer Price Index. Interest is calculated based on the inflation-adjusted principal.

 

  (9) 

When-issued security.

 

(10) 

Senior floating-rate loans (Senior Loans) often require prepayments from excess cash flows or permit the borrowers to repay at their election. The degree to which borrowers repay, whether as a contractual requirement or at their election, cannot be predicted with accuracy. As a result, the actual remaining maturity may be substantially less than the stated maturities shown. However, Senior Loans will typically have an expected average life of approximately two to four years. Senior Loans typically have rates of interest which are redetermined periodically by reference to a base lending rate, plus a spread. These base lending rates are primarily the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) and secondarily, the prime rate offered by one or more major United States banks (the “Prime Rate”). Base lending rates may be subject to a floor, or minimum rate.

 

(11) 

Amount is less than 0.05%.

 

 

  24   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

(12) 

This Senior Loan will settle after December 31, 2019, at which time the interest rate will be determined.

 

(13) 

Security exempt from registration under Section 4(2) of the Securities Act of 1933. Such securities may be sold in transactions exempt from registration only to dealers in that program or other “accredited investors.” At December 31, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities is $7,094,340, representing 1.2% of the Portfolio’s net assets.

(14) 

Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2019.

 

 

Futures Contracts  
Description    Number of
Contracts
     Position      Expiration
Date
     Notional
Amount
     Value/Unrealized
Appreciation
(Depreciation)
 

Interest Rate Futures

              
U.S. 2-Year Treasury Note      235        Long        3/31/20      $ 50,642,500      $ (40,750
U.S. 5-Year Treasury Note      66        Long        3/31/20        7,828,219        (35,163
U.S. Long Treasury Bond      50        Short        3/20/20        (7,795,312      43,674  
U.S. Ultra 10-Year Treasury Note      52        Short        3/20/20        (7,316,563      84,170  
U.S. Ultra-Long Treasury Bond      233        Long        3/20/20        42,325,906        (1,587,763
       $ (1,535,832

Abbreviations:

 

LIBOR     London Interbank Offered Rate
PPTT     Preferred Pass-Through Trust

Currency Abbreviations:

 

USD     United States Dollar

 

  25   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $562,909,669)

   $ 573,279,735  

Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $22,271,976)

     22,272,569  

Cash

     205,047  

Deposits for derivatives collateral — financial futures contracts

     1,031,920  

Interest receivable

     2,991,582  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investment

     33,481  

Receivable for investments sold

     88,083  

Receivable from affiliate

     11,522  

Total assets

   $ 599,913,939  
Liabilities         

Payable for investments purchased

   $ 2,122,532  

Payable for when-issued securities

     6,750,000  

Payable for variation margin on open financial futures contracts

     233,832  

Payable to affiliates:

  

Investment adviser fee

     225,449  

Trustees’ fees

     6,758  

Accrued expenses

     185,580  

Total liabilities

   $ 9,524,151  

Net Assets applicable to investors’ interest in Portfolio

   $ 590,389,788  

 

  26   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Interest

   $ 17,888,252  

Dividends from affiliated investment

     210,249  

Total investment income

   $ 18,098,501  
Expenses         

Investment adviser fee

   $ 2,428,571  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     29,363  

Custodian fee

     147,277  

Legal and accounting services

     88,903  

Miscellaneous

     16,542  

Total expenses

   $ 2,710,656  

Deduct —

  

Allocation of expenses to affiliate

   $ 66,097  

Total expense reductions

   $ 66,097  

Net expenses

   $ 2,644,559  

Net investment income

   $ 15,453,942  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)         

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 6,271,033  

Investment transactions — affiliated investment

     (2,283

Financial futures contracts

     7,630,894  

Net realized gain

   $ 13,899,644  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 20,595,871  

Investments — affiliated investment

     508  

Financial futures contracts

     (3,564,323

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 17,032,056  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 30,931,700  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 46,385,642  

 

  27   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 15,453,942      $ 14,523,505  

Net realized gain (loss)

     13,899,644        (7,137,519

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     17,032,056        (8,981,258

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 46,385,642      $ (1,595,272

Capital transactions —

     

Contributions

   $ 156,390,865      $ 86,298,166  

Withdrawals

     (118,402,543      (58,051,164

Net increase in net assets from capital transactions

   $ 37,988,322      $ 28,247,002  

Net increase in net assets

   $ 84,373,964      $ 26,651,730  
Net Assets                  

At beginning of year

   $ 506,015,824      $ 479,364,094  

At end of year

   $ 590,389,788      $ 506,015,824  

 

  28   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
Ratios/Supplemental Data   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

         

Expenses(1)(2)

    0.49     0.49     0.49     0.50     0.50

Net investment income

    2.86     2.98     2.46     2.01     2.00

Portfolio Turnover

    89     65     123     132 %(3)      159 %(3) 

Total Return(2)

    9.28     (0.50 )%      4.48     2.73     0.04

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

  $ 590,390     $ 506,016     $ 479,364     $ 484,256     $ 342,684  

 

(1)  

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(2) 

The investment adviser reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.01%, 0.02%, 0.01%, 0.01% and 0.02% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(3) 

Includes the effect of To Be Announced (TBA) transactions.

 

  29   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Core Bond Portfolio (the Portfolio) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a diversified, open-end management investment company. The Portfolio’s investment objectives are to seek current income and total return. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue interests in the Portfolio. At December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Balanced Fund and Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund held an interest of 65.2% and 34.8%, respectively, in the Portfolio.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Portfolio. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Portfolio is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Debt Obligations. Debt obligations are generally valued on the basis of valuations provided by third party pricing services, as derived from such services’ pricing models. Inputs to the models may include, but are not limited to, reported trades, executable bid and ask prices, broker/dealer quotations, prices or yields of securities with similar characteristics, interest rates, anticipated prepayments, benchmark curves or information pertaining to the issuer, as well as industry and economic events. The pricing services may use a matrix approach, which considers information regarding securities with similar characteristics to determine the valuation for a security. Short-term debt obligations purchased with a remaining maturity of sixty days or less for which a valuation from a third party pricing service is not readily available may be valued at amortized cost, which approximates fair value.

Senior Floating-Rate Loans. Interests in senior floating-rate loans (Senior Loans) for which reliable market quotations are readily available are valued generally at the average mean of bid and ask quotations obtained from a third party pricing service.

Derivatives. Financial futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded.

Affiliated Fund. The Portfolio may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a third party pricing service.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Portfolio in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Portfolio might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued, adjusted for amortization of premium or accretion of discount. Inflation adjustments to the principal amount of inflation-adjusted bonds and notes are reflected as interest income. Deflation adjustments to the principal amount of an inflation-adjusted bond or note are reflected as reductions to interest income to the extent of interest income previously recorded on such bond or note. Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities.

D  Federal Taxes — The Portfolio has elected to be treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes. No provision is made by the Portfolio for federal or state taxes on any taxable income of the Portfolio because each investor in the Portfolio is ultimately responsible for the payment of any taxes on its share of taxable income. Since at least one of the Portfolio’s investors is a regulated investment company that invests all or substantially all of its assets in the Portfolio, the Portfolio normally must satisfy the applicable source of income and diversification requirements (under the Internal Revenue Code) in order for its investors to satisfy them. The Portfolio will allocate, at least annually among its investors, each investor’s distributive share of the Portfolio’s net investment income, net realized capital gains and losses and any other items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit.

As of December 31, 2019, the Portfolio had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Portfolio files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

E  Unfunded Loan Commitments — The Portfolio may enter into certain loan agreements all or a portion of which may be unfunded. The Portfolio is obligated to fund these commitments at the borrower’s discretion. These commitments, if any, are disclosed in the accompanying Portfolio of Investments.

 

  30  


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

F  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

G  Indemnifications — Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Portfolio. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, interestholders in the Portfolio could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Portfolio. However, the Portfolio’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Portfolio interestholders. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Portfolio that have not yet occurred.

H  Financial Futures Contracts — Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Portfolio is required to deposit with the broker, either in cash or securities, an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount (initial margin). Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, are made or received by the Portfolio each business day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security, and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by the Portfolio. Gains (losses) are realized upon the expiration or closing of the financial futures contracts. Should market conditions change unexpectedly, the Portfolio may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. Futures contracts have minimal counterparty risk as they are exchange traded and the clearinghouse for the exchange is substituted as the counterparty, guaranteeing counterparty performance.

I  When-Issued Securities and Delayed Delivery Transactions — The Portfolio may purchase or sell securities on a delayed delivery or when-issued basis. Payment and delivery may take place after the customary settlement period for that security. At the time the transaction is negotiated, the price of the security that will be delivered is fixed. The Portfolio maintains cash and/or security positions for these commitments such that sufficient liquid assets will be available to make payments upon settlement. Securities purchased on a delayed delivery or when-issued basis are marked-to-market daily and begin earning interest on settlement date. Losses may arise due to changes in the market value of the underlying securities or if the counterparty does not perform under the contract.

2  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of EVM, as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Portfolio. Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement and subsequent fee reduction agreement between the Portfolio and BMR, the fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.45% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets up to $1 billion and at reduced rates on average daily net assets of $1 billion or more, and is payable monthly. The fee reduction cannot be terminated or reduced without the approval of a majority vote of the Trustees of the Portfolio who are not interested persons of BMR or the Portfolio and by the vote of a majority of the holders of interest in the Portfolio. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Portfolio’s investment adviser fee amounted to $2,428,571 or 0.45% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Pursuant to a voluntary expense reimbursement, BMR was allocated $66,097 of the Portfolio’s operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019. The Portfolio invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund.

Trustees and officers of the Portfolio who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Portfolio out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Portfolio who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2019, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Portfolio are officers of the above organizations.

During the year ended December 31, 2019, BMR reimbursed the Portfolio $3,160 for a net realized loss due to a trading error. The amount of the reimbursement had an impact on total return of less than 0.01%.

3  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations and including maturities and paydowns, for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

      Purchases      Sales  

Investments (non-U.S. Government)

   $ 242,686,800      $ 234,936,201  

U.S. Government and Agency Securities

     270,397,163        229,906,169  
     $ 513,083,963      $ 464,842,370  

 

  31  


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

4  Federal Income Tax Basis of Investments

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments, including open derivative contracts, of the Portfolio at December 31, 2019, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 585,844,864  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 10,993,003  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,285,563

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 9,707,440  

5  Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may trade in financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its investing activities. These financial instruments may include futures contracts and may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. The notional or contractual amounts of these instruments represent the investment the Portfolio has in particular classes of financial instruments and do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered. A summary of obligations under these financial instruments at December 31, 2019 is included in the Portfolio of Investments. At December 31, 2019, the Portfolio had sufficient cash and/or securities to cover commitments under these contracts.

The Portfolio is subject to interest rate risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objectives. Because the Portfolio holds fixed-rate bonds, the value of these bonds may decrease if interest rates rise. The Portfolio enters into U.S. Treasury futures contracts to hedge against fluctuations in interest rates.

The fair value of open derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) and whose primary underlying risk exposure is interest rate risk at December 31, 2019 was as follows:

 

     Fair Value  
Derivative    Asset Derivative(1)      Liability Derivative(1)  

Financial futures contracts

   $ 127,844      $ (1,663,676

 

(1) 

Only the current day’s variation margin on open futures contracts is reported within the Statement of Assets and Liabilities as Receivable or Payable for variation margin on open financial futures contracts, as applicable.

The effect of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) on the Statement of Operations and whose primary underlying risk exposure is interest rate risk for the year ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:

 

Derivative    Realized Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives Recognized
in Income
(1)
     Change in Unrealized
Appreciation (Depreciation) on
Derivatives Recognized in  Income
(2)
 

Financial futures contracts

   $ 7,630,894      $ (3,564,323

 

(1) 

Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) – Financial futures contracts.

 

(2) 

Statement of Operations location: Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) – Financial futures contracts.

The average notional cost of futures contracts outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2019, which is indicative of the volume of this derivative type, was approximately as follows:

 

Futures
Contracts — Long
    Futures
Contracts — Short
 
  $84,214,000     $ 12,198,000  

 

  32  


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

6  Line of Credit

The Portfolio participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in an $800 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 27, 2020. In connection with the renewal of the agreement on October 29, 2019, funds managed by Calvert Research and Management, an affiliate of EVM, were added as participating funds to the agreement and the borrowing limit was increased from $625 million. Borrowings are made by the Portfolio solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to the Portfolio based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Eurodollar rate or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Portfolio, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Portfolio did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the year ended December 31, 2019.

7  Investments in Affiliated Funds

At December 31, 2019, the value of the Portfolio’s investment in affiliated funds was $22,272,569, which represents 3.8% of the Portfolio’s net assets. Transactions in affiliated funds by the Portfolio for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Name of affiliated fund   Value,
beginning
of period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gain (loss)
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
    Value, end
of period
    Dividend
income
    Units, end
of period
 

Short-Term Investments

               

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%

  $ 6,203,972     $ 299,923,118     $ (283,852,746   $ (2,283   $ 508     $ 22,272,569     $ 210,249       22,272,569  

8  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

  33  


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

At December 31, 2019, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s investments and open derivative instruments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Corporate Bonds & Notes

   $      $ 192,711,508      $         —      $ 192,711,508  

Agency Mortgage-Backed Securities

            53,084,808               53,084,808  

Collateralized Mortgage Obligations

            41,147,121               41,147,121  

Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities

            55,051,695               55,051,695  

Asset-Backed Securities

            105,681,615               105,681,615  

U.S. Treasury Obligations

            95,840,357               95,840,357  

Taxable Municipal Securities

            8,160,508               8,160,508  

Senior Floating-Rate Loans

            14,507,783               14,507,783  

Short-Term Investments —

           

Commercial Paper

            7,094,340               7,094,340  

Other

            22,272,569               22,272,569  

Total Investments

   $      $ 595,552,304      $      $ 595,552,304  

Futures Contracts

   $ 127,844      $      $      $ 127,844  

Total

   $ 127,844      $ 595,552,304      $      $ 595,680,148  

Liability Description

                                   

Futures Contracts

   $ (1,663,676    $      $      $ (1,663,676

Total

   $ (1,663,676    $      $      $ (1,663,676

 

  34  


Core Bond Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees and Investors of Core Bond Portfolio:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Core Bond Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Portfolio’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Portfolio is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities and senior loans owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian, brokers and selling or agent banks; when replies were not received from brokers and selling or agent banks, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  35  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization

 

 

Fund Management.  The Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust) and Core Bond Portfolio (the Portfolio) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s and Portfolio’s affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Trust and the Portfolio are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Trustees and officers of the Trust and the Portfolio hold indefinite terms of office. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and the Portfolio, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is the Fund’s principal underwriter, the Portfolio’s placement agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 159 portfolios in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure). Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds. Each Trustee and officer serves until his or her successor is elected.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the Trust

and the

Portfolio

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Interested Trustee                   

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

1958

   Trustee      2007     

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 159 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust and the Portfolio.

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm).

Noninterested Trustees

Mark R. Fetting

1954

   Trustee      2016     

Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Cynthia E. Frost

1961

   Trustee      2014     

Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

George J. Gorman

1952

   Trustee      2014     

Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) (2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds (9 funds) (2010-2014).

Valerie A. Mosley

1960

   Trustee      2014     

Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Former Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Former Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (since 2013).

 

  36  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the Trust

and the

Portfolio

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Noninterested Trustees (continued)

William H. Park

1947

   Chairperson of the Board and Trustee     

2016 (Chairperson)

2003 (Trustee)

    

Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Helen Frame Peters

1948

   Trustee      2008     

Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Keith Quinton

1958

   Trustee      2018     

Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (since 2017). Advisory Committee member at Northfield Information Services, Inc. (risk management analytics provider) (since 2016). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank (since 2016).

Marcus L. Smith

1966

   Trustee      2018     

Member of Posse Boston Advisory Board (foundation) (since 2015). Trustee at University of Mount Union (since 2008). Formerly, Portfolio Manager at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm) (1994-2017).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018).

Susan J. Sutherland

1957

   Trustee      2015     

Private investor. Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (global provider of customized insurance and reinsurance products) (2013-2015).

Scott E. Wennerholm

1959

   Trustee      2016     

Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)
with the Trust

and the

Portfolio

     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

Payson F. Swaffield

1956

   President      2003      Vice President and Chief Income Investment Officer of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”).

 

  37  


Eaton Vance

Core Bond Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)
with the Trust

and the

Portfolio

     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees (continued)

Maureen A. Gemma

1960

   Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer      2005      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

James F. Kirchner

1967

   Treasurer      2007      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

Richard F. Froio

1968

   Chief Compliance Officer      2017      Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2017. Formerly, Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Adviser/Funds) and Chief Compliance Officer (Distribution) at PIMCO (2012-2017) and Managing Director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors (2009-2012).

 

(1) 

Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise.

(2) 

Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise, year of most recent election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election.

The SAI for the Fund includes additional information about the Trustees and officers of the Fund and the Portfolio and can be obtained without charge on Eaton Vance’s website at www.eatonvance.com or by calling 1-800-262-1122.

 

  38  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each entity listed below has adopted a privacy policy and procedures (“Privacy Program”) Eaton Vance believes is reasonably designed to protect your personal information and to govern when and with whom Eaton Vance may share your personal information.

 

 

At the time of opening an account, Eaton Vance generally requires you to provide us with certain information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account numbers, and account balances. This information is necessary for us to both open an account for you and to allow us to satisfy legal requirements such as applicable anti-money laundering reviews and know-your-customer requirements.

 

 

On an ongoing basis, in the normal course of servicing your account, Eaton Vance may share your information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various services for Eaton Vance and/or your account. These third parties include transfer agents, custodians, broker/dealers and our professional advisers, including auditors, accountants, and legal counsel. Eaton Vance may additionally share your personal information with our affiliates.

 

 

We believe our Privacy Program is reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access to that information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Program at any time upon proper notification to you. You may want to review our Privacy Program periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of protecting your personal information applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Limited, Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, and Calvert Funds. This Privacy Notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about our Privacy Program or about how your personal information may be used, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-PORT will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

  39  


This Page Intentionally Left Blank


Investment Adviser of Core Bond Portfolio

Boston Management and Research

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Administrator of Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 262-1122

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
*

FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


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2978    12.31.19


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Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

Important Note. Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (eatonvance.com/funddocuments), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you are a direct investor, you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up for e-Delivery at eatonvance.com/edelivery. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you are a direct investor, you can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-262-1122. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Eaton Vance funds held directly or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.

 

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Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current summary prospectus or prospectus. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund. This and other important information is contained in the summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial intermediary. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. For further information, please call 1-800-262-1122.


Annual Report December 31, 2019

Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

     2  

Performance

     3  

Fund Profile

     4  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     5  

Fund Expenses

     6  

Financial Statements

     7  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     22  

Federal Tax Information

     23  

Management and Organization

     24  

Important Notices

     26  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance1

 

 

Economic and Market Conditions

With virtually every U.S. equity index posting strong double-digit returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 — and bond markets solidly in the black as well — 2019 was a good year for investments.

As the new year dawned in January 2019, investors appeared to be taking a “glass is half full” approach. Although U.S. manufacturing output and business investment remained weak — held back by slowing global growth and an on-again/off-again U.S.-China trade war — strong spending by U.S. consumers and dovish remarks by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) combined to lift investor sentiment. After four federal funds rate hikes the previous year, markets began to project the Fed might actually lower rates in 2019 to stimulate the economy. U.S. unemployment, meanwhile, remained low and hiring remained strong.

As a result, U.S. stocks across multiple markets climbed from January through April 2019. Overseas, central banks around the world began to cut interest rates and employ other tools to stimulate their respective economies. Even a global stock pullback in May — sparked by heightened concerns about the U.S.-China trade spat — proved to be temporary, and the U.S. and global stock rallies resumed in June and July.

After holding interest rates steady through the first half of the year, the Fed cut the federal funds rate on July 31, 2019 — its first reduction in over a decade — followed by two additional rate cuts in September and October to end the period at 1.50%-1.75%. By end of the third quarter, 60 central banks around the world had lowered their interest rates as well.

After falling in August, U.S. equities rallied again during the final months of the period, spurred by optimism about a U.S.-China trade détente and better-than-expected U.S. employment reports. The year ended with two events in December that did much to allay investor concerns about international trade and tariffs: passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Trump administration’s agreement to a so-called “phase–one” trade deal with China.

During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average®2 returned 25.34%, while the broader U.S. equity market, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, returned 31.49%. The technology-laden Nasdaq Composite Index returned 36.69% during the period. Large-cap U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, generally outperformed their small-cap counterparts, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. As a group, growth stocks outpaced value stocks in both large- and small-cap categories, as measured by the Russell growth and value indexes.

Fund Performance

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund (the Fund) returned 31.09% for Class A shares at net asset value (NAV), underperforming its benchmark, the S&P 500® Index (the Index), which returned 31.49%.

The Fund’s underperformance of the Index resulted from sector and industry allocations, which narrowly outweighed the positive effect from stock selection.

The utilities sector was the largest detractor from relative Fund performance versus the Index due to stock selection. Within the sector, electric utility company Duke Energy Corp. underperformed its peers due to operational struggles at some of the company’s power plants.

The communication services sector also detracted from Fund performance relative to the Index during the period due to stock selection. In the diversified telecommunications industry, Verizon Telecommunications, Inc. was among the Fund’s worst-performing individual stocks, as investors shunned the traditionally defensive stock amid a strong market rally led by growth stocks.

An underweight in the outperforming information technology (IT) sector also constrained relative Fund returns during the period. In the lagging IT services industry, global IT services provider Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp. was the Fund’s worst-performing stock amid slowing sales growth. An overweight position in the underperforming communications equipment industry also hurt Fund performance relative to the Index during the period.

On the positive side, the health care sector contributed most to Fund results relative to the Index due to stock selection. In the outperforming health care equipment & supplies industry, Danaher Corp., a leading medical technology company, was among the Fund’s top individual stocks after earnings exceeded expectations. Stock selections in the health care providers & services industry and the biotechnology industry also boosted relative Fund results versus the Index during the period.

Stock selections in the financials sector also contributed to Fund performance relative to the Index during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co., the largest U.S. bank, was among the Fund’s individual stock leaders due to improved investor sentiment amid subsiding recession fears. Market data giant S&P Global, Inc. was also among the Fund’s leading stocks behind strong growth and high earnings forecast. The Fund’s lack of exposure to the lagging diversified financial services industry also contributed to relative Fund performance versus the Index during the period.

Stock selections in the industrials sector aided relative Fund performance versus the Index during the period. Within the sector, the aerospace & defense industry recorded notable results. Defense giant Lockheed Martin Corp. was among the Fund’s leading individual stocks after it beat earnings forecasts.

The Fund’s top stock overall was semiconductor manufacturer QUALCOMM, Inc. (QUALCOMM), which gained investor interest after the company announced an agreement with its largest customer, Apple, Inc., on licensing fees. By period-end, QUALCOMM was sold from the Fund.

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Performance2,3

 

Portfolio Manager Charles B. Gaffney

 

% Average Annual Total Returns   

Class

Inception Date

     Performance
Inception Date
     One Year      Five Years      Ten Years  

Class A at NAV

     12/18/1981        12/18/1981        31.09      10.62      11.25

Class A with 5.75% Maximum Sales Charge

                   23.58        9.31        10.59  

Class C at NAV

     11/01/1993        12/18/1981        30.13        9.79        10.41  

Class C with 1% Maximum Sales Charge

                   29.13        9.79        10.41  

Class I at NAV

     06/20/2005        12/18/1981        31.44        10.89        11.52  
              

S&P 500® Index

                   31.49      11.69      13.55

 

% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios4    Class A      Class C      Class I  
     1.02      1.77      0.77

Growth of $10,000

 

This graph shows the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A of the Fund for the period indicated. For comparison, the same investment is shown in the indicated index.

 

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Growth of Investment    Amount Invested      Period Beginning      At NAV     With Maximum Sales Charge  
          

Class C

   $ 10,000        12/31/2009      $ 26,944       N.A.  

Class I

   $ 250,000        12/31/2009      $ 744,510       N.A.  

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Profile

 

 

Sector Allocation (% of net assets)5

 

 

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Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)5

 

 

Microsoft Corp.

     5.4

Apple, Inc.

     4.7  

Johnson & Johnson

     2.7  

AbbVie, Inc.

     2.3  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

     2.3  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

     2.3  

PepsiCo, Inc.

     2.2  

Visa, Inc., Class A

     2.2  

Broadcom, Inc.

     2.0  

Medtronic PLC

     2.0  

Total

     28.1
 

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as “forward looking statements.” The Fund’s actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2 

Dow Jones Industrial Average® is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally the leaders in their industry. S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index of large- cap stocks commonly used as a measure of U.S. stock market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices are a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P DJI”) and have been licensed for use. S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of S&P DJI; Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); S&P DJI, Dow Jones and their respective affiliates do not sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the Fund, will not have any liability with respect thereto and do not have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P Dow Jones Indices. Nasdaq Composite Index is a market capitalization- weighted index of all domestic and international securities listed on Nasdaq. Source: Nasdaq, Inc. The information is provided by Nasdaq (with its affiliates, are referred to as the “Corporations”) and Nasdaq’s third party licensors on an “as is” basis and the Corporations make no guarantees and bear no liability of any kind with respect to the information or the Fund. Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of 2,000 U.S. small-cap stocks. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

3 

Total Returns at NAV do not include applicable sales charges. If sales charges were deducted, the returns would be lower. Total Returns shown with maximum sales charge reflect the stated maximum sales charge. Unless otherwise stated, performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

4 

Source: Fund prospectus. The expense ratios for the current reporting period can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.

 

5 

Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

 

  

Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

 

 

  5  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Expenses

 

 

Example:  As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and redemption fees (if applicable); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of Fund investing and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019).

Actual Expenses:  The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:  The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual Fund expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year (before expenses), which is not the actual Fund return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees (if applicable). Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would be higher.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(7/1/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(12/31/19)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(7/1/19 – 12/31/19)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Actual

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,115.60      $ 5.39        1.01

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,111.20      $ 9.37        1.76

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,117.10      $ 4.06        0.76
         

Hypothetical

          

(5% return per year before expenses)

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.10      $ 5.14        1.01

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,016.30      $ 8.94        1.76

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.40      $ 3.87        0.76

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on June 30, 2019.

 

  6  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

Common Stocks — 99.7%

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Aerospace & Defense — 5.0%  

Boeing Co. (The)

    40,400     $ 13,160,704  

L3Harris Technologies, Inc.

    90,500       17,907,235  

Lockheed Martin Corp.

    41,800       16,276,084  
      $ 47,344,023  
Banks — 4.1%  

Bank of America Corp.

    491,100     $ 17,296,542  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    156,100       21,760,340  
      $ 39,056,882  
Beverages — 3.8%  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    265,200     $ 14,678,820  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    153,900       21,033,513  
      $ 35,712,333  
Biotechnology — 2.3%  

AbbVie, Inc.

    249,800     $ 22,117,292  
      $ 22,117,292  
Building Products — 0.5%  

A.O. Smith Corp.

    105,500     $ 5,026,020  
      $ 5,026,020  
Capital Markets — 4.2%  

CME Group, Inc.

    90,200     $ 18,104,944  

S&P Global, Inc.

    44,000       12,014,200  

Tradeweb Markets, Inc., Class A

    208,327       9,655,956  
      $ 39,775,100  
Chemicals — 2.6%  

Dow, Inc.

    323,833     $ 17,723,380  

Valvoline, Inc.

    317,700       6,801,957  
      $ 24,525,337  
Communications Equipment — 1.6%  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    313,800     $ 15,049,848  
      $ 15,049,848  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 3.9%  

AT&T, Inc.

    485,600     $ 18,977,248  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    298,380       18,320,532  
      $ 37,297,780  
Security   Shares     Value  
Electric Utilities — 1.5%  

Duke Energy Corp.

    157,600     $ 14,374,696  
      $ 14,374,696  
Electrical Equipment — 0.9%  

Emerson Electric Co.

    107,600     $ 8,205,576  
      $ 8,205,576  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 0.5%  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(1)

    18,600     $ 4,751,184  
      $ 4,751,184  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.7%  

Schlumberger, Ltd.

    168,900     $ 6,789,780  
      $ 6,789,780  
Entertainment — 1.9%  

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    127,200     $ 18,396,936  
      $ 18,396,936  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 4.3%  

Lamar Advertising Co., Class A

    170,600     $ 15,227,756  

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

    105,800       13,950,788  

National Retail Properties, Inc.

    208,400       11,174,408  
      $ 40,352,952  
Food Products — 0.8%  

Conagra Brands, Inc.

    208,800     $ 7,149,312  
      $ 7,149,312  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 3.9%  

Danaher Corp.

    115,100     $ 17,665,548  

Medtronic PLC

    167,400       18,991,530  
      $ 36,657,078  
Health Care Providers & Services — 3.8%  

Anthem, Inc.

    47,500     $ 14,346,425  

UnitedHealth Group, Inc.

    75,100       22,077,898  
      $ 36,424,323  
Independent Power and Renewable Electricity Producers — 1.2%  

NextEra Energy Partners, L.P.

    216,100     $ 11,377,665  
      $ 11,377,665  
 

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Insurance — 4.2%  

Chubb, Ltd.

    104,400     $ 16,250,904  

First American Financial Corp.

    191,200       11,150,784  

Progressive Corp. (The)

    168,700       12,212,193  
      $ 39,613,881  
Interactive Media & Services — 4.7%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1)

    9,300     $ 12,456,327  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(1)

    10,714       14,324,832  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(1)

    84,700       17,384,675  
      $ 44,165,834  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 1.6%  

Amazon.com, Inc.(1)

    8,300     $ 15,337,072  
      $ 15,337,072  
IT Services — 5.7%  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    273,300     $ 16,950,066  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    114,800       15,967,532  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    110,200       20,706,580  
      $ 53,624,178  
Media — 1.3%  

Comcast Corp., Class A

    264,300     $ 11,885,571  
      $ 11,885,571  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 4.6%  

BP PLC

    2,102,500     $ 13,226,413  

ConocoPhillips

    187,900       12,219,137  

Enterprise Products Partners, LP

    258,400       7,276,544  

Phillips 66

    95,200       10,606,232  
      $ 43,328,326  
Pharmaceuticals — 7.2%  

AstraZeneca PLC ADR

    192,300     $ 9,588,078  

Eli Lilly & Co.

    69,800       9,173,814  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC ADR

    205,000       9,632,950  

Johnson & Johnson

    172,000       25,089,640  

Pfizer, Inc.

    370,300       14,508,354  
      $ 67,992,836  
Professional Services — 1.1%  

IHS Markit, Ltd.(1)

    139,500     $ 10,511,325  
      $ 10,511,325  
Security   Shares     Value  
Road & Rail — 0.8%  

CSX Corp.

    105,800     $ 7,655,688  
      $ 7,655,688  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 3.8%  

Broadcom, Inc.

    61,200     $ 19,340,424  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    131,800       16,908,622  
      $ 36,249,046  
Software — 5.4%  

Microsoft Corp.

    324,467     $ 51,168,446  
      $ 51,168,446  
Specialty Retail — 5.0%  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    142,000     $ 12,467,600  

Home Depot, Inc. (The)

    82,200       17,950,836  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    144,800       17,341,248  
      $ 47,759,684  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 4.7%  

Apple, Inc.

    150,237     $ 44,117,095  
      $ 44,117,095  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.8%  

Gildan Activewear, Inc.

    255,400     $ 7,541,962  
      $ 7,541,962  
Tobacco — 1.3%  

Philip Morris International, Inc.

    145,400     $ 12,372,086  
      $ 12,372,086  

Total Common Stocks
(identified cost $728,704,475)

 

  $ 943,707,147  
 

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Short-Term Investments — 0.3%

 

Description   Units     Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%(2)

    3,124,549     $ 3,124,549  

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $3,124,254)

 

  $ 3,124,549  

Total Investments — 100.0%
(identified cost $731,828,729)

 

  $ 946,831,696  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.0)%(3)

 

  $ (153,334

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 946,678,362  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

(1)

Non-income producing security.

 

(2)

Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2019.

 

(3)

Amount is less than (0.05)%.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
 

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $728,704,475)

   $ 943,707,147  

Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $3,124,254)

     3,124,549  

Dividends receivable

     1,079,230  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investment

     3,185  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     153,302  

Securities lending income receivable

     816  

Tax reclaims receivable

     472,958  

Total assets

   $ 948,541,187  
Liabilities         

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

   $ 757,579  

Payable to affiliates:

  

Investment adviser fee

     507,636  

Distribution and service fees

     196,599  

Trustees’ fees

     11,180  

Accrued expenses

     389,831  

Total liabilities

   $ 1,862,825  

Net Assets

   $ 946,678,362  
Sources of Net Assets         

Paid-in capital

   $ 722,745,200  

Distributable earnings

     223,933,162  

Total

   $ 946,678,362  
Class A Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 706,042,521  

Shares Outstanding

     45,231,092  

Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 15.61  

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

  

(100 ÷ 94.25 of net asset value per share)

   $ 16.56  
Class C Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 56,585,420  

Shares Outstanding

     3,601,460  

Net Asset Value and Offering Price Per Share*

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 15.71  
Class I Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 184,050,421  

Shares Outstanding

     11,801,472  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 15.60  

On sales of $50,000 or more, the offering price of Class A shares is reduced.

 

*

Redemption price per share is equal to the net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Dividends (net of foreign taxes, $62,170)

   $ 22,930,470  

Dividends from affiliated investment

     36,043  

Securities lending income, net

     50,402  

Total investment income

   $ 23,016,915  
Expenses         

Investment adviser fee

   $ 5,692,354  

Distribution and service fees

  

Class A

     1,642,613  

Class C

     668,200  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     46,378  

Custodian fee

     218,723  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     579,336  

Legal and accounting services

     95,936  

Printing and postage

     62,263  

Registration fees

     50,763  

Miscellaneous

     69,985  

Total expenses

   $ 9,126,551  

Net investment income

   $ 13,890,364  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)         

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 39,597,241  

Investment transactions — affiliated investment

     473  

Foreign currency transactions

     (10,295

Net realized gain

   $ 39,587,419  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 185,441,398  

Investments — affiliated investment

     173  

Foreign currency

     25,649  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 185,467,220  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 225,054,639  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 238,945,003  

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

 

Net investment income

   $ 13,890,364      $ 15,129,134  

Net realized gain

     39,587,419        61,838,152  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     185,467,220        (121,209,521

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 238,945,003      $ (44,242,235

Distributions to shareholders —

     

Class A

   $ (33,030,164    $ (57,837,835

Class C

     (2,459,995      (10,520,298

Class I

     (8,866,386      (15,180,599

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (44,356,545    $ (83,538,732

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

     

Proceeds from sale of shares

     

Class A

   $ 23,949,621      $ 33,642,047  

Class C

     4,164,570        7,151,055  

Class I

     28,404,364        39,331,886  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

     

Class A

     28,167,592        49,523,310  

Class C

     2,196,425        9,745,958  

Class I

     8,147,696        13,846,361  

Cost of shares redeemed

     

Class A

     (99,367,228      (110,827,967

Class C

     (20,862,137      (41,604,558

Class I

     (34,763,671      (49,296,866

Net asset value of shares converted

     

Class A

     52,800,847         

Class C

     (52,800,847       

Net decrease in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ (59,962,768    $ (48,488,774

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ 134,625,690      $ (176,269,741
Net Assets

 

At beginning of year

   $ 812,052,672      $ 988,322,413  

At end of year

   $ 946,678,362      $ 812,052,672  

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Class A  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 12.510      $ 14.550     $ 13.510      $ 13.110     $ 14.190  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                           

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.227      $ 0.242     $ 0.282      $ 0.278     $ 0.238  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     3.607        (0.942     2.212        0.907       0.178  

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 3.834      $ (0.700   $ 2.494      $ 1.185     $ 0.416  
Less Distributions                                           

From net investment income

   $ (0.264    $ (0.264   $ (0.264    $ (0.264   $ (0.236

From net realized gain

     (0.470      (1.076     (1.190      (0.521     (1.260

Total distributions

   $ (0.734    $ (1.340   $ (1.454    $ (0.785   $ (1.496

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 15.610      $ 12.510     $ 14.550      $ 13.510     $ 13.110  

Total Return(2)

     31.09      (5.40 )%      18.89      9.21     2.91
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                           

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 706,043      $ 558,487     $ 674,421      $ 685,372     $ 711,199  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(3)

            

Expenses(4)

     1.01      1.02     1.03      1.04     1.04

Net investment income

     1.57      1.66     1.98      2.09     1.67

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio(5)

            37 %(6)      86      97     99

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     55      41 %(6)(7)                    

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2)

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3)

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(4)

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(5)

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(6)

Not annualized.

 

(7)

For the period from June 11, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Dividend Builder Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust having the same investment objective and policies as the Fund, in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to June 11, 2018.

 

  13   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class C  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 12.580      $ 14.620     $ 13.580      $ 13.160     $ 14.250  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                           

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.115      $ 0.133     $ 0.177      $ 0.179     $ 0.132  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     3.636        (0.945     2.209        0.926       0.167  

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 3.751      $ (0.812   $ 2.386      $ 1.105     $ 0.299  
Less Distributions                                           

From net investment income

   $ (0.151    $ (0.152   $ (0.156    $ (0.164   $ (0.129

From net realized gain

     (0.470      (1.076     (1.190      (0.521     (1.260

Total distributions

   $ (0.621    $ (1.228   $ (1.346    $ (0.685   $ (1.389

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 15.710      $ 12.580     $ 14.620      $ 13.580     $ 13.160  

Total Return(2)

     30.13      (6.09 )%      17.89      8.51     2.05
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                           

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 56,585      $ 107,495     $ 149,298      $ 163,138     $ 165,915  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(3)

            

Expenses(4)

     1.77      1.77     1.78      1.79     1.79

Net investment income

     0.80      0.91     1.24      1.34     0.92

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio(5)

            37 %(6)      86      97     99

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     55      41 %(6)(7)                    

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2)

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3)

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(4)

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(5)

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(6)

Not annualized.

 

(7)

For the period from June 11, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Dividend Builder Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust having the same investment objective and policies as the Fund, in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to June 11, 2018.

 

  14   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class I  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 12.500      $ 14.530     $ 13.500      $ 13.100     $ 14.180  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                           

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.262      $ 0.279     $ 0.316      $ 0.312     $ 0.274  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     3.608        (0.932     2.204        0.906       0.178  

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 3.870      $ (0.653   $ 2.520      $ 1.218     $ 0.452  
Less Distributions                                           

From net investment income

   $ (0.300    $ (0.301   $ (0.300    $ (0.297   $ (0.272

From net realized gain

     (0.470      (1.076     (1.190      (0.521     (1.260

Total distributions

   $ (0.770    $ (1.377   $ (1.490    $ (0.818   $ (1.532

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 15.600      $ 12.500     $ 14.530      $ 13.500     $ 13.100  

Total Return(2)

     31.44      (5.10 )%      19.12      9.49     3.10
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                           

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 184,050      $ 146,070     $ 164,604      $ 113,726     $ 107,963  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(3)

            

Expenses(4)

     0.76      0.77     0.78      0.79     0.79

Net investment income

     1.82      1.92     2.22      2.35     1.92

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio(5)

            37 %(6)      86      97     99

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     55      41 %(6)(7)                    

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2)

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(3)

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(4)

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(5)

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(6)

Not annualized.

 

(7)

For the period from June 11, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Dividend Builder Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust having the same investment objective and policies as the Fund, in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to June 11, 2018.

 

  15   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund (the Fund) is a diversified series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek total return. The Fund offers three classes of shares. Class A shares are generally sold subject to a sales charge imposed at time of purchase. Class C shares are sold at net asset value and are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (see Note 5). Class I shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge. Effective January 25, 2019, Class C shares generally will automatically convert to Class A shares ten years after their purchase as described in the Fund’s prospectus. Each class represents a pro-rata interest in the Fund, but votes separately on class-specific matters and (as noted below) is subject to different expenses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income and losses, other than class-specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class of shares differs in its distribution plan and certain other class-specific expenses.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and ask prices on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and ask prices.

Foreign Securities and Currencies. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a third party pricing service. The pricing service uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Inputs to the model include reported trades and implied bid/ask spreads. The daily valuation of exchange-traded foreign securities generally is determined as of the close of trading on the principal exchange on which such securities trade. Events occurring after the close of trading on foreign exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities to more accurately reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When valuing foreign equity securities that meet certain criteria, the Fund’s Trustees have approved the use of a fair value service that values such securities to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities.

Affiliated Fund. The Fund may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a third party pricing service.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Fund in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. However, if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates. In consideration of recent decisions rendered by European courts, the Fund has filed additional tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in certain European Union countries. These filings are subject to various administrative and judicial proceedings within these countries. Due to the uncertainty as to the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these reclaims, and the potential timing of payment, no amounts are reflected in the Fund’s financial statements for such outstanding reclaims.

D  Federal Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

 

  16  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

E  Expenses — The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

F  Foreign Currency Translation — Investment valuations, other assets, and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of foreign investment securities and income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions. Recognized gains or losses on investment transactions attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. That portion of unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.

G  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

H  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

It is the present policy of the Fund to make monthly distributions of all or substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are declared separately for each class of shares. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund at the net asset value as of the ex-dividend date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018  

Ordinary income

   $ 17,556,442      $ 33,393,057  

Long-term capital gains

   $ 26,800,103      $ 50,145,675  

During the year ended December 31, 2019, distributable earnings was decreased by $2,972,100 and paid-in capital was increased by $2,972,100 due to the Fund’s use of equalization accounting and differences between book and tax accounting. Tax equalization accounting allows the Fund to treat as a distribution that portion of redemption proceeds representing a redeeming shareholder’s portion of undistributed taxable income and net capital gains. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.

As of December 31, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 4,873,890  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

   $ 5,712,267  

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 213,347,005  

 

  17  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Fund at December 31, 2019, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 733,512,110  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 218,382,182  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (5,062,596

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 213,319,586  

3  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of EVM, as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to $500 million, 0.625% from $500 million up to $1 billion, 0.600% from $1 billion up to $1.5 billion, 0.550% from $1.5 billion up to $2 billion, 0.500% from $2 billion up to $3 billion and at reduced rates on daily net assets of $3 billion or more, and is payable monthly. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the investment adviser fee amounted to $5,692,354 or 0.64% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Fund invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund.

EVM serves as the administrator of the Fund, but receives no compensation. EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2019, EVM earned $104,741 from the Fund pursuant to such agreement, which is included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations. The Fund was informed that Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM and the Fund’s principal underwriter, received $30,781 as its portion of the sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the year ended December 31, 2019. EVD also received distribution and service fees from Class A and Class C shares (see Note 4) and contingent deferred sales charges (see Note 5).

Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2019, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of the above organizations.

4  Distribution Plans

The Fund has in effect a distribution plan for Class A shares (Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund pays EVD a distribution and service fee of 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution services and facilities provided to the Fund by EVD, as well as for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Distribution and service fees paid or accrued to EVD for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $1,642,613 for Class A shares.

The Fund also has in effect a distribution plan for Class C shares (Class C Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class C Plan, the Fund pays EVD amounts equal to 0.75% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $501,150 for Class C shares.

Pursuant to the Class C Plan, the Fund also makes payments of service fees to EVD, financial intermediaries and other persons in amounts equal to 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to that class. Service fees paid or accrued are for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. They are separate and distinct from the sales commissions and distribution fees payable to EVD. Service fees paid or accrued for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $167,050 for Class C shares.

Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2341(d).

5  Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1% generally is imposed on redemptions of Class C shares made within one year of purchase. Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed within 18 months of purchase (depending on the circumstances of purchase). Generally, the CDSC is based upon the lower of the net asset value at date of redemption or date of purchase. No charge is levied on shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund was informed that EVD received approximately $2,000 of CDSCs paid by Class C shareholders and no CDSCs paid by Class A shareholders.

 

  18  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

6  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $491,400,006 and $579,037,248, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019.

7  Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Such shares may be issued in a number of different series (such as the Fund) and classes. Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class A    2019      2018  

Sales

     1,656,682        2,359,977  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     1,906,692        3,615,097  

Redemptions

     (6,912,680      (7,693,976

Converted from Class C shares

     3,937,445         

Net increase (decrease)

     588,139        (1,718,902
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class C    2019      2018  

Sales

     284,321        497,780  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     147,852        710,355  

Redemptions

     (1,460,281      (2,875,129

Converted to Class A shares

     (3,913,810       

Net decrease

     (4,941,918      (1,666,994
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class I    2019      2018  

Sales

     1,984,411        2,739,086  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     552,655        1,010,772  

Redemptions

     (2,422,215      (3,388,128

Net increase

     114,851        361,730  

8  Line of Credit

The Fund participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in an $800 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 27, 2020. In connection with the renewal of the agreement on October 29, 2019, funds managed by Calvert Research and Management, an affiliate of EVM, were added as participating funds to the agreement and the borrowing limit was increased from $625 million. Borrowings are made by the Fund solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to the Fund based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Eurodollar rate or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Fund, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Fund did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

  19  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

9  Securities Lending Agreement

The Fund has established a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (SSBT) as securities lending agent in which the Fund lends portfolio securities to qualified borrowers in exchange for collateral consisting of either cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of securities loaned is determined daily and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. Cash collateral is invested in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, a money market fund registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund earns interest on the amount invested but it must pay (and at times receive from) the broker a loan rebate fee computed as a varying percentage of the collateral received. For security loans secured by non-cash collateral, the Fund earns a negotiated lending fee from the borrower. A portion of the income earned by the Fund from its investment of cash collateral, net of rebate fees, and lending fees received is allocated to SSBT for its services as lending agent and the portion allocated to the Fund is presented as securities lending income, net on the Statement of Operations. Non-cash collateral is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund and cannot be sold or re-pledged by the Fund; accordingly, such collateral is not reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund is subject to possible delay in the recovery of loaned securities. Pursuant to the securities lending agreement, SSBT has provided indemnification to the Fund in the event of default by a borrower with respect to a loan. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to the investment of cash collateral.

At December 31, 2019, the Fund had no securities on loan.

10  Investments in Affiliated Funds

At December 31, 2019, the value of the Fund’s investment in affiliated funds was $3,124,549, which represents 0.3% of the Fund’s net assets. Transactions in affiliated funds by the Fund for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Name of affiliated fund   Value,
beginning
of period
    Purchases    

Sales

proceeds

    Net
realized
gain (loss)
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
    Value, end
of period
    Dividend
income
    Units, end
of period
 

Short-Term Investments

               

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%

  $ 1,475,314     $ 102,310,622     $ (100,662,033   $ 473     $ 173     $ 3,124,549     $ 36,043       3,124,549  

11  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

  20  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

At December 31, 2019, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

           

Communication Services

   $ 111,746,121      $      $         —      $ 111,746,121  

Consumer Discretionary

     70,638,718                      70,638,718  

Consumer Staples

     55,233,731                      55,233,731  

Energy

     36,891,693        13,226,413               50,118,106  

Financials

     118,445,863                      118,445,863  

Health Care

     163,191,529                      163,191,529  

Industrials

     78,742,632                      78,742,632  

Information Technology

     204,959,797                      204,959,797  

Materials

     24,525,337                      24,525,337  

Real Estate

     40,352,952                      40,352,952  

Utilities

     25,752,361                      25,752,361  

Total Common Stocks

   $ 930,480,734      $ 13,226,413    $      $ 943,707,147  

Short-Term Investments

   $      $ 3,124,549      $      $ 3,124,549  

Total Investments

   $ 930,480,734      $ 16,350,962      $      $ 946,831,696  

 

*

Includes foreign equity securities whose values were adjusted to reflect market trading of comparable securities or other correlated instruments that occurred after the close of trading in their applicable foreign markets.

 

  21  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  22  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you received in February 2020 showed the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2019. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals, the dividends received deduction for corporations and capital gains dividends.

Qualified Dividend Income.  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund designates approximately $20,221,806, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate of 15%.

Dividends Received Deduction.  Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Fund’s fiscal 2019 ordinary income dividends, 81.22% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

Capital Gains Dividends.  The Fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended December 31, 2019, $27,456,862 or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.

 

  23  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization

 

 

Fund Management.  The Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Trustees and officers of the Trust hold indefinite terms of office. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is the Fund’s principal underwriter and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 159 portfolios in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure). Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds. Each Trustee and officer serves until his or her successor is elected.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Trust

  

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Interested Trustee

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

1958

   Trustee    2007     

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 159 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust.

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm).

Noninterested Trustees

Mark R. Fetting

1954

   Trustee    2016     

Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Cynthia E. Frost

1961

   Trustee    2014     

Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

George J. Gorman

1952

   Trustee    2014     

Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009).

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) (2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds (9 funds) (2010-2014).

Valerie A. Mosley

1960

   Trustee    2014     

Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Former Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Former Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (since 2013).

 

  24  


Eaton Vance

Dividend Builder Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Trust

  

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Noninterested Trustees (continued)

William H. Park

1947

   Chairperson of the Board and Trustee   

2016 (Chairperson)

2003 (Trustee)

    

Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Helen Frame Peters

1948

   Trustee    2008     

Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Keith Quinton

1958

   Trustee    2018     

Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (since 2017). Advisory Committee member at Northfield Information Services, Inc. (risk management analytics provider) (since 2016). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank (since 2016).

Marcus L. Smith

1966

   Trustee    2018     

Member of Posse Boston Advisory Board (foundation) (since 2015). Trustee at University of Mount Union (since 2008). Formerly, Portfolio Manager at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm) (1994-2017).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018).

Susan J. Sutherland

1957

   Trustee    2015     

Private investor. Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (global provider of customized insurance and reinsurance products) (2013-2015).

Scott E. Wennerholm

1959

   Trustee    2016     

Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

 

  25  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each entity listed below has adopted a privacy policy and procedures (“Privacy Program”) Eaton Vance believes is reasonably designed to protect your personal information and to govern when and with whom Eaton Vance may share your personal information.

 

 

At the time of opening an account, Eaton Vance generally requires you to provide us with certain information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account numbers, and account balances. This information is necessary for us to both open an account for you and to allow us to satisfy legal requirements such as applicable anti-money laundering reviews and know-your-customer requirements.

 

 

On an ongoing basis, in the normal course of servicing your account, Eaton Vance may share your information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various services for Eaton Vance and/or your account. These third parties include transfer agents, custodians, broker/dealers and our professional advisers, including auditors, accountants, and legal counsel. Eaton Vance may additionally share your personal information with our affiliates.

 

 

We believe our Privacy Program is reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access to that information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Program at any time upon proper notification to you. You may want to review our Privacy Program periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of protecting your personal information applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Limited, Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, and Calvert Funds. This Privacy Notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about our Privacy Program or about how your personal information may be used, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-PORT will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

  26  


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Investment Adviser

Boston Management and Research

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Administrator

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 262-1122

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
*

FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


LOGO

 

LOGO

159    12.31.19


LOGO

 

 

Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

Important Note. Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (eatonvance.com/funddocuments), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you are a direct investor, you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up for e-Delivery at eatonvance.com/edelivery. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you are a direct investor, you can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-262-1122. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Eaton Vance funds held directly or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.

 

LOGO


 

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current summary prospectus or prospectus. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund. This and other important information is contained in the summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial intermediary. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. For further information, please call 1-800-262-1122.


Annual Report December 31, 2019

Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

     2  

Performance

     3  

Fund Profile

     4  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     5  

Fund Expenses

     6  

Financial Statements

     7  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     17 and 29  

Federal Tax Information

     18  

Management and Organization

     30  

Important Notices

     33  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance1

 

 

Economic and Market Conditions

During an election year in which Prime Minister Modi’s Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP)-led National Democratic Alliance returned to power in May 2019, India’s stock market reacted positively during the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019. Despite geopolitical tensions with Pakistan, uncertainties over the elections and government budgets, the MSCI India Index (the Index)2 returned 7.58% during the period.

In July 2019, India’s finance minister presented a fiscal year budget that focused on investment-led growth instead of providing a near-term consumption stimulus. Following the budget announcement, the Indian equity market corrected substantially, eliminating year-to-date gains primary due to concerns related to proposed surcharge increases on high-income individuals including a segment of foreign investors.

Following the budget announcement, the government also announced a series of measures to boost the economy and revive investor sentiment. Those measures included enhancing banking liquidity and credit; support for the automotive sector; public sector bank consolidation; improved governance standards; and relief for exporters and the housing sector. The biggest surprise was a domestic corporate tax rate cut — from a peak rate of 30% down to 22% — that helped trigger the biggest single-day jump in stock prices in over a decade.

In October 2019, the Reserve Bank of India reduced its repo rate — the rate at which the central bank lends money to commercial banks — for the fifth time during the year, lowering it by 135 basis points. In November, India’s Finance Minister announced the creation of a INR 250 billion fund to provide priority debt financing for the completion of stalled housing projects that are in the affordable/middle-income housing sector. This action was considered positive for real-estate focused non-banking finance companies in need of liquidity to help revive stuck projects.

India’s real GDP growth decelerated from 5.0% in the second quarter of 2019, to 4.5% in the third quarter of 2019 on a year-over-year basis, which was in line with consensus expectations.

Fund Performance

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Greater India Fund (the Fund) returned 10.46% for Class A shares at net asset value (NAV), outperforming the Index, which returned 7.58%.

Strong stock selection drove the Fund’s outperformance during the period, while sector allocation modestly detracted. Stock selection was strongest in the health care, consumer discretionary, financials and communication services sectors. An overweight allocation to financials and an underweight allocation to utilities contributed to relative performance versus the Index.

Within the communication services sector, an overweight position in Info Edge India, Ltd. (Info Edge), a leading Internet company, was the largest contributor to returns relative to the Index. Info Edge’s naukri.com is a leader in the online job search market in India. The stock outperformed the interactive media & services market on the back of robust billings growth during the period.

An out-of-Index position in Abbott India, Ltd., a top pharmaceutical manufacturer within India’s health care sector, contributed to returns during the period. The stock outperformed as the company reported strong quarterly results and the company’s leading brands grew faster than competitors’ during the period.

Stock selection was weakest in the materials and information technology sectors, while certain holdings within the communication services and energy sectors were also detractors. An underweight allocation to energy was the largest detractor from a sector allocation standpoint during the period.

Within the energy sector, an underweight position in Reliance Industries, Ltd. (Reliance), a refiner and manufacturer of petro-chemicals, was the largest detractor relative to the Index. One of the largest companies in India by market capitalization, Reliance’s stock price rose on the back of strong business performance during the period.

An underweight position in Bharti Airtel, Ltd., a telecom services provider, detracted from returns relative to the Index. The Indian telecom industry has faced intensifying competition over the past three years, resulting in shrinking revenues and a tightening of margins causing industry consolidation. The company’s stock price outperformed the industry on the back of strong business fundamentals.

 

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Performance2,3

 

Portfolio Manager Hiren Dasani, CFA, of Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. (GSAM)

 

% Average Annual Total Returns   

Class

Inception Date

    

Performance

Inception Date

     One Year      Five Years      Ten Years  

Class A at NAV

     05/02/1994        05/02/1994        10.46      6.51      5.04

Class A with 5.75% Maximum Sales Charge

                   4.12        5.25        4.43  

Class C at NAV

     07/07/2006        05/02/1994        9.69        5.77        4.33  

Class C with 1% Maximum Sales Charge

                   8.69        5.77        4.33  

Class I at NAV

     10/01/2009        05/02/1994        10.79        6.83        5.37  

MSCI India Index

                   7.58      5.06      3.85
              
% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios4                    Class A      Class C      Class I  
           1.62      2.32      1.32

Growth of $10,000

 

This graph shows the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A of the Fund for the period indicated. For comparison, the same investment is shown in the indicated index.

 

LOGO

 

Growth of Investment    Amount Invested      Period Beginning      At NAV     With Maximum Sales Charge  

Class C

   $ 10,000        12/31/2009      $ 15,276       N.A.  

Class I

   $ 250,000        12/31/2009      $ 421,902       N.A.  

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Profile5

 

 

Sector Allocation (% of net assets)6

 

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)6

 

 

Infosys, Ltd.

     9.2

Reliance Industries, Ltd.

     7.2  

ICICI Bank, Ltd.

     7.0  

Axis Bank, Ltd.

     6.4  

Maruti Suzuki India, Ltd.

     5.4  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

     4.8  

Bajaj Finance, Ltd.

     4.2  

HDFC Bank, Ltd.

     4.1  

Info Edge India, Ltd.

     2.9  

Bharat Petroleum Corp., Ltd.

     2.9  

Total

     54.1
 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as “forward looking statements.” The Fund’s actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2 

MSCI India Index is an unmanaged index of common stocks traded in the India market. MSCI indexes are net of foreign withholding taxes. Source: MSCI. MSCI data may not be reproduced or used for any other purpose. MSCI provides no warranties, has not prepared or approved this report, and has no liability hereunder. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

3 

Total Returns at NAV do not include applicable sales charges. If sales charges were deducted, the returns would be lower. Total Returns shown with maximum sales charge reflect the stated maximum sales charge. Unless otherwise stated, performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

 

  

Effective September 15, 2016, Goldman Sachs Asset Management International (GSAM beginning October 19, 2017) began sub-advising the Fund. Performance prior to September 15, 2016, reflects the Fund’s performance under a former sub-adviser.

 

4

Source: Fund prospectus. The expense ratios for the current reporting period can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.

 

5

Fund primarily invests in an affiliated investment company (Portfolio) with the same objective(s) and policies as the Fund and may also invest directly. Unless otherwise noted, references to investments are to the aggregate holdings of the Fund and the Portfolio.

 

6 

Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

 

  

Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

    

 

 

  5  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Expenses

 

 

Example:  As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and redemption fees (if applicable); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of Fund investing and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019).

Actual Expenses:  The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:  The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual Fund expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year (before expenses), which is not the actual Fund return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees (if applicable). Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would be higher.

 

    

Beginning

Account Value
(7/1/19)

    

Ending

Account Value
(12/31/19)

    

Expenses Paid

During Period*
(7/1/19 – 12/31/19)

    

Annualized

Expense
Ratio

 

Actual

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,043.30      $ 8.29        1.61

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,039.60      $ 11.88        2.31

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,045.20      $ 6.75        1.31
         

Hypothetical

          

(5% return per year before expenses)

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.10      $ 8.19        1.61

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,013.60      $ 11.72        2.31

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.60      $ 6.67        1.31

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on June 30, 2019. The Example reflects the expenses of both the Fund and the Portfolio.

 

  6  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Investment in Greater India Portfolio, at value (identified cost, $156,458,064)

   $ 216,810,518  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     51,090  

Total assets

   $ 216,861,608  
Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

   $ 683,858  

Payable to affiliates:

  

Administration fee

     27,538  

Distribution and service fees

     51,729  

Trustees’ fees

     125  

Accrued expenses

     104,171  

Total liabilities

   $ 867,421  

Net Assets

   $ 215,994,187  
Sources of Net Assets

 

Paid-in capital

   $ 159,601,422  

Distributable earnings

     56,392,765  

Total

   $ 215,994,187  
Class A Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 163,335,273  

Shares Outstanding

     4,761,639  

Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 34.30  

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

  

(100 ÷ 94.25 of net asset value per share)

   $ 36.39  
Class C Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 11,898,180  

Shares Outstanding

     407,028  

Net Asset Value and Offering Price Per Share*

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 29.23  
Class I Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 40,760,734  

Shares Outstanding

     1,158,186  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 35.19  

On sales of $50,000 or more, the offering price of Class A shares is reduced.

 

*

Redemption price per share is equal to the net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Dividends allocated from Portfolio

   $ 2,158,676  

Interest allocated from Portfolio

     70,434  

Expenses allocated from Portfolio

     (2,081,503

Total investment income from Portfolio

   $ 147,607  
Expenses         

Administration fee

   $ 317,131  

Distribution and service fees

  

Class A

     477,742  

Class B

     2,677  

Class C

     137,525  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     500  

Custodian fee

     24,742  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     238,842  

Legal and accounting services

     32,884  

Printing and postage

     45,720  

Registration fees

     58,535  

Miscellaneous

     14,251  

Total expenses

   $ 1,350,549  

Net investment loss

   $ (1,202,942
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss) from Portfolio         

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 2,289,839  

Financial futures contracts

     12,955  

Foreign currency transactions

     (69,182

Net realized gain

   $ 2,233,612  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 20,051,173  

Financial futures contracts

     (109,516

Foreign currency

     (4,063

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 19,937,594  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 22,171,206  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 20,968,264  

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

     

Net investment loss

   $ (1,202,942    $ (1,121,824

Net realized gain

     2,233,612        10,201,255  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     19,937,594        (41,771,783

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 20,968,264      $ (32,692,352

Distributions to shareholders —

     

Class A

   $ (4,591,828    $ (1,884,637

Class B

     (8,912      (13,568

Class C

     (433,321      (325,992

Class I

     (1,059,604      (459,954

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (6,093,665    $ (2,684,151

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

     

Proceeds from sale of shares

     

Class A

   $ 8,144,780      $ 11,152,692  

Class B

     736        5,913  

Class C

     1,654,639        1,727,576  

Class I

     17,577,702        13,797,287  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

     

Class A

     4,145,063        1,696,856  

Class B

     8,067        12,588  

Class C

     376,242        299,083  

Class I

     864,768        368,069  

Cost of shares redeemed

     

Class A

     (22,105,068      (28,089,646

Class B

     (50,711      (182,325

Class C

     (4,331,484      (6,291,868

Class I

     (17,968,399      (19,199,899

Net asset value of shares converted(1)

     

Class A

     8,818,338        1,085,292  

Class B

     (564,214      (1,085,292

Class C

     (8,254,124       

Net decrease in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ (11,683,665    $ (24,703,674

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ 3,190,934      $ (60,080,177
Net Assets

 

At beginning of year

   $ 212,803,253      $ 272,883,430  

At end of year

   $ 215,994,187      $ 212,803,253  

 

(1) 

Includes the conversion of Class B to Class A shares at the close of business on August 15, 2019 upon the termination of Class B.

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Class A  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 32.020      $ 36.830      $ 26.300      $ 25.770     $ 27.310  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                            

Net investment income (loss)(1)

   $ (0.188    $ (0.150    $ 0.016      $ (0.200   $ (0.245

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     3.424        (4.284      11.737        0.878       (1.090

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 3.236      $ (4.434    $ 11.753      $ 0.678     $ (1.335
Less Distributions                                            

From net investment income

   $      $ (0.376    $ (1.223    $ (0.148   $ (0.205

From net realized gain

     (0.956                           

Total distributions

   $ (0.956    $ (0.376    $ (1.223    $ (0.148   $ (0.205

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 34.300      $ 32.020      $ 36.830      $ 26.300     $ 25.770  

Total Return(2)

     10.46      (12.13 )%       44.80      2.64 %(3)      (4.96 )%(3)  
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 163,335      $ 152,967      $ 192,016      $ 149,950     $ 172,386  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(4)

             

Expenses(5)

     1.63      1.62      1.68      1.88 %(3)      1.88 %(3) 

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.58 )%       (0.44 )%       0.05      (0.75 )%      (0.88 )% 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio

     21      29      25      91     30

 

(1)

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2)

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3)

The investment adviser and sub-adviser of the Portfolio reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.02% and 0.02% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4)

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses.

 

(5)

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class C  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 27.620      $ 32.050      $ 23.020      $ 22.580     $ 24.120  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                            

Net investment loss(1)

   $ (0.363    $ (0.334    $ (0.186    $ (0.336   $ (0.383

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     2.929        (3.720      10.247        0.776       (0.954

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 2.566      $ (4.054    $ 10.061      $ 0.440     $ (1.337
Less Distributions                                            

From net investment income

   $      $ (0.376    $ (1.031    $     $ (0.203

From net realized gain

     (0.956                           

Total distributions

   $ (0.956    $ (0.376    $ (1.031    $     $ (0.203

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 29.230      $ 27.620      $ 32.050      $ 23.020     $ 22.580  

Total Return(2)

     9.69      (12.76 )%       43.81      1.95 %(3)      (5.63 )%(3)  
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 11,898      $ 21,891      $ 30,195      $ 22,335     $ 28,276  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(4)

             

Expenses(5)

     2.33      2.32      2.38      2.58 %(3)      2.58 %(3) 

Net investment loss

     (1.30 )%       (1.14 )%       (0.65 )%       (1.44 )%      (1.56 )% 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio

     21      29      25      91     30

 

(1)

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2)

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3)

The investment adviser and sub-adviser of the Portfolio reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.02% and 0.02% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4)

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses.

 

(5)

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class I  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 32.730      $ 37.520      $ 26.770      $ 26.230     $ 27.710  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                            

Net investment income (loss)(1)

   $ (0.092    $ (0.047    $ 0.140      $ (0.126   $ (0.166

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     3.508        (4.367      11.936        0.900       (1.108

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 3.416      $ (4.414    $ 12.076      $ 0.774     $ (1.274
Less Distributions                                            

From net investment income

   $      $ (0.376    $ (1.326    $ (0.234   $ (0.206

From net realized gain

     (0.956                           

Total distributions

   $ (0.956    $ (0.376    $ (1.326    $ (0.234   $ (0.206

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 35.190      $ 32.730      $ 37.520      $ 26.770     $ 26.230  

Total Return(2)

     10.79      (11.85 )%       45.22      2.97 %(3)      (4.70 )%(3)  
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 40,761      $ 37,330      $ 48,595      $ 26,866     $ 29,959  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):(4)

             

Expenses(5)

     1.33      1.32      1.38      1.58 %(3)      1.58 %(3) 

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.27 )%       (0.14 )%       0.41      (0.46 )%      (0.59 )% 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio

     21      29      25      91     30

 

(1)

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2)

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(3)

The investment adviser and sub-adviser of the Portfolio reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.02% and 0.02% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4)

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses.

 

(5)

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Greater India Fund (the Fund) is a non-diversified series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund offers three classes of shares. Class A shares are generally sold subject to a sales charge imposed at time of purchase. Class C shares are sold at net asset value and are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (see Note 5). Effective January 25, 2019, Class C shares generally automatically convert to Class A shares ten years after their purchase as described in the Fund’s prospectus. Class I shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge. The Fund previously offered Class B shares, which beginning January 1, 2012, were only available for purchase upon exchange from another Eaton Vance fund or through reinvestment of distributions. Class B shares automatically converted to Class A shares eight years after their purchase as described in the Fund’s prospectus. At the close of business on August 15, 2019, Class B shares were converted to Class A shares and Class B was terminated. Each class represents a pro-rata interest in the Fund, but votes separately on class-specific matters and (as noted below) is subject to different expenses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income and losses, other than class-specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class of shares differs in its distribution plan and certain other class-specific expenses. The Fund invests all of its investable assets in interests in Greater India Portfolio (the Portfolio), a Massachusetts business trust, having the same investment objective and policies as the Fund. The value of the Fund’s investment in the Portfolio reflects the Fund’s proportionate interest in the net assets of the Portfolio (99.9% at December 31, 2019). The performance of the Fund is directly affected by the performance of the Portfolio. The financial statements of the Portfolio, including the portfolio of investments, are included elsewhere in this report and should be read in conjunction with the Fund’s financial statements.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — Valuation of securities by the Portfolio is discussed in Note 1A of the Portfolio’s Notes to Financial Statements, which are included elsewhere in this report.

B  Income — The Fund’s net investment income or loss consists of the Fund’s pro-rata share of the net investment income or loss of the Portfolio, less all actual and accrued expenses of the Fund.

C  Federal and Other Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

In addition to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, the Fund may also be required to recognize its pro-rata share of the capital gains taxes incurred by the Portfolio. In doing so, the daily net asset value would reflect the Fund’s pro-rata share of the estimated reserve for such taxes incurred by the Portfolio.

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

D  Expenses — The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

E  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

F  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

G  Other — Investment transactions are accounted for on a trade date basis.

 

  13  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

It is the present policy of the Fund to make at least one distribution annually (normally in December) of all or substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are declared separately for each class of shares. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund at the net asset value as of the ex-dividend date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018  

Ordinary income

   $      $ 2,684,151  

Long-term capital gains

   $ 6,093,665      $  

During the year ended December 31, 2019, distributable earnings was increased by $1,288,424 and paid-in capital was decreased by $1,288,424 due to differences between book and tax accounting for net operating losses. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.

As of December 31, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   

Undistributed long-term capital gains

  $ 564,160  

Net unrealized appreciation

  $ 55,828,605  

3  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of Eaton Vance Management (EVM), as compensation for management and investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.85% of the Fund’s average daily net assets that are not invested in other investment companies for which BMR or its affiliates serve as investment adviser and receive an advisory fee (“Investable Assets”) up to $500 million and is payable monthly. On Investable Assets of $500 million and over, the annual fee is reduced. Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement, BMR pays Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. a portion of its investment adviser fee for sub-advisory services provided to the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund incurred no investment adviser fee on Investable Assets. To the extent the Fund’s assets are invested in the Portfolio, the Fund is allocated its share of the Portfolio’s investment adviser fee. The Portfolio has engaged BMR to render investment advisory services. See Note 2 of the Portfolio’s Notes to Financial Statements which are included elsewhere in this report. The administration fee is earned by EVM as compensation for administering the business affairs of the Fund and is computed at an annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the administration fee amounted to $317,131.

EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2019, EVM earned $33,308 from the Fund pursuant to such agreement, which is included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations. The Fund was informed that Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM and the Fund’s principal underwriter, received $20,266 as its portion of the sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the year ended December 31, 2019. EVD also received distribution and service fees from Class A, Class B and Class C shares (see Note 4) and contingent deferred sales charges (see Note 5).

Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee and administration fee. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund and the Portfolio are officers of the above organizations.

4  Distribution Plans

The Fund has in effect a distribution plan for Class A shares (Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund pays EVD a distribution and service fee of 0.30% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution services and facilities provided to the Fund by EVD, as well as for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Distribution and service fees paid or accrued to EVD for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $477,742 for Class A shares.

 

  14  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

The Fund also has in effect distribution plans for Class C shares (Class C Plan) and prior to August 16, 2019, Class B shares (Class B Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class B and Class C Plans, the Fund paid/pays EVD amounts equal to 0.75% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class B and Class C shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $2,008 and $103,144 for Class B and Class C shares, respectively.

Pursuant to the Class B and Class C Plans, the Fund also made/makes payments of service fees to EVD, financial intermediaries and other persons in amounts equal to 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to that class. Service fees paid or accrued are for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. They are separate and distinct from the sales commissions and distribution fees payable to EVD. Service fees paid or accrued for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $669 and $34,381 for Class B and Class C shares, respectively.

Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2341(d) and for Class B, were further limited to a 5% maximum sales charge as determined in accordance with such rule.

5  Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) generally is imposed on redemptions of Class C shares made within one year of purchase and prior to August 16, 2019, on redemptions of Class B shares made within six years of purchase. Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed within 18 months of purchase (depending on the circumstances of purchase). Generally, the CDSC is based upon the lower of the net asset value at date of redemption or date of purchase. No charge is levied on shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. The CDSC for Class B shares was imposed at declining rates that began at 5% in the case of redemptions in the first and second year after purchase, declining one percentage point each subsequent year. Class C shares are subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed within one year of purchase. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund was informed that EVD received approximately $5,000 and $2,000 of CDSCs paid by Class A and Class C shareholders, respectively, and no CDSCs paid by Class B shareholders.

6  Investment Transactions

For the year ended December 31, 2019, increases and decreases in the Fund’s investment in the Portfolio aggregated $12,649,694 and $31,342,570, respectively.

7  Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Such shares may be issued in a number of different series (such as the Fund) and classes. Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class A    2019      2018  

Sales

     251,172        322,437  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     135,062        48,083  

Redemptions

     (680,177      (838,993

Converted from Class B shares

     18,163        32,196  

Converted from Class C shares

     260,718         

Net decrease

     (15,062      (436,277
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class B    2019(1)      2018  

Sales

     28        184  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     305        409  

Redemptions

     (1,747      (5,969

Converted to Class A shares

     (20,705      (36,857

Net decrease

     (22,119      (42,233

 

  15  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class C    2019      2018  

Sales

     58,720        57,221  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     14,344        9,800  

Redemptions

     (155,685      (216,692

Converted to Class A shares

     (302,832       

Net decrease

     (385,453      (149,671
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class I    2019      2018  

Sales

     529,425        394,522  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     27,497        10,218  

Redemptions

     (539,364      (559,188

Net increase (decrease)

     17,558        (154,448

 

(1)

At the close of business on August 15, 2019, Class B shares were converted into Class A and Class B was terminated.

 

  16  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Greater India Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Greater India Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust), as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  17  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you received in February 2020 showed the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2019. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of capital gains dividends.

Capital Gains Dividends.  The Fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended December 31, 2019, $565,344 or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.

 

  18  


Greater India Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

Common Stocks — 99.4%

 

Security   Shares     Value  
India — 99.4%  
Airlines — 0.6%  

InterGlobe Aviation, Ltd.(1)

    69,143     $ 1,292,275  
      $ 1,292,275  
Auto Components — 1.2%  

MRF, Ltd.

    2,872     $ 2,664,593  
      $ 2,664,593  
Automobiles — 7.2%  

Eicher Motors, Ltd.

    12,698     $ 3,989,478  

Maruti Suzuki India, Ltd.

    112,782       11,647,093  
      $ 15,636,571  
Banks — 17.5%  

Axis Bank, Ltd.

    1,313,598     $ 13,856,438  

HDFC Bank, Ltd.

    500,807       8,960,056  

ICICI Bank, Ltd.

    1,988,851       15,075,973  
      $ 37,892,467  
Beverages — 0.7%  

United Breweries, Ltd.

    79,318     $ 1,410,077  
      $ 1,410,077  
Capital Markets — 1.0%  

Reliance Nippon Life Asset Management, Ltd.(1)

    423,638     $ 2,105,114  
      $ 2,105,114  
Construction & Engineering — 1.4%  

Voltas, Ltd.

    338,897     $ 3,116,423  
      $ 3,116,423  
Construction Materials — 2.8%  

Dalmia Bharat, Ltd.

    144,462     $ 1,638,494  

UltraTech Cement, Ltd.

    78,030       4,434,444  
      $ 6,072,938  
Consumer Finance — 5.4%  

Bajaj Finance, Ltd.

    154,929     $ 9,175,063  

Mahindra & Mahindra Financial Services, Ltd.

    211,453       953,691  

Muthoot Finance, Ltd.

    140,035       1,493,769  
      $ 11,622,523  
Security   Shares     Value  
Diversified Financial Services — 1.4%  

Bajaj Holdings & Investment, Ltd.

    62,107     $ 2,974,220  
      $ 2,974,220  
Electrical Equipment — 0.2%  

Graphite India, Ltd.

    83,106     $ 352,867  
      $ 352,867  
Food Products — 2.3%  

GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Healthcare, Ltd.

    18,061     $ 2,097,027  

Nestle India, Ltd.

    14,010       2,899,503  
      $ 4,996,530  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.9%  

Indian Hotels Co., Ltd. (The)

    923,711     $ 1,868,566  
      $ 1,868,566  
Household Durables — 2.6%  

Crompton Greaves Consumer Electricals, Ltd.

    752,799     $ 2,521,469  

Whirlpool of India, Ltd.

    94,054       3,106,873  
      $ 5,628,342  
Household Products — 2.4%  

Hindustan Unilever, Ltd.

    191,309     $ 5,148,351  
      $ 5,148,351  
Insurance — 3.2%  

ICICI Lombard General Insurance Co., Ltd.(1)

    150,940     $ 2,920,655  

SBI Life Insurance Co., Ltd.(1)

    294,967       3,973,581  
      $ 6,894,236  
Interactive Media & Services — 2.9%  

Info Edge India, Ltd.

    179,046     $ 6,373,086  
      $ 6,373,086  
IT Services — 15.2%  

HCL Technologies, Ltd.

    666,868     $ 5,317,092  

Infosys, Ltd.

    1,934,828       19,948,081  

Infosys, Ltd. ADR

    123,774       1,277,348  

Larsen & Toubro Infotech, Ltd.(1)

    86,224       2,114,667  

Tech Mahindra, Ltd.

    404,122       4,310,827  
      $ 32,968,015  
 

 

  19   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Greater India Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 2.1%  

Divi’s Laboratories, Ltd.

    179,518     $ 4,626,298  
      $ 4,626,298  
Machinery — 1.9%  

AIA Engineering, Ltd.

    86,037     $ 1,988,567  

Thermax, Ltd.

    144,311       2,210,678  
      $ 4,199,245  
Metals & Mining — 0.6%  

Hindustan Zinc, Ltd.(2)

    239,372     $ 703,679  

NMDC, Ltd.

    323,564       585,666  
      $ 1,289,345  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 10.1%  

Bharat Petroleum Corp., Ltd.

    906,962     $ 6,237,216  

Reliance Industries, Ltd.

    737,611       15,666,428  
      $ 21,903,644  
Personal Products — 2.4%  

Marico, Ltd.

    526,595     $ 2,514,426  

Procter & Gamble Hygiene & Health Care, Ltd.

    16,984       2,703,571  
      $ 5,217,997  
Pharmaceuticals — 4.7%  

Abbott India, Ltd.

    32,581     $ 5,955,485  

Eris Lifesciences, Ltd.(1)(2)

    105,000       696,506  

Lupin, Ltd.

    197,697       2,120,197  

Torrent Pharmaceuticals, Ltd.

    58,307       1,509,355  
      $ 10,281,543  
Real Estate Management & Development — 1.4%  

Oberoi Realty, Ltd.

    214,170     $ 1,592,175  

Prestige Estates Projects, Ltd.

    325,464       1,539,991  
      $ 3,132,166  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.6%  

Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail, Ltd.(2)

    387,379     $ 1,255,370  
      $ 1,255,370  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 4.8%  

Housing Development Finance Corp., Ltd.

    310,202     $ 10,490,859  
      $ 10,490,859  
Security   Shares     Value  
Wireless Telecommunication Services — 1.9%  

Bharti Airtel, Ltd.

    632,214     $ 4,039,196  
      $ 4,039,196  

Total India
(identified cost $155,165,630)

 

  $ 215,452,857  

Total Common Stocks
(identified cost $155,165,630)

 

  $ 215,452,857  

Total Investments — 99.4%
(identified cost $155,165,630)

 

  $ 215,452,857  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.6%

 

  $ 1,359,618  

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 216,812,475  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

(1)

Security exempt from registration pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. These securities may be sold in certain transactions in reliance on an exemption from registration (normally to qualified institutional buyers). At December 31, 2019, the aggregate value of these securities is $13,102,798 or 6.0% of the Portfolio’s net assets.

 

(2)

Non-income producing security.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
 

 

  20   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Greater India Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $155,165,630)

   $ 215,452,857  

Cash

     1,384,552  

Receivable for investments sold

     271,887  

Receivable for foreign taxes

     43,182  

Total assets

   $ 217,152,478  
Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

   $ 1,699  

Payable to affiliates:

  

Investment adviser fee

     156,207  

Trustees’ fees

     2,823  

Accrued expenses

     179,274  

Total liabilities

   $ 340,003  

Net Assets applicable to investors’ interest in Portfolio

   $ 216,812,475  

 

  21   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Greater India Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Dividends

   $ 2,158,694  

Interest

     70,435  

Total investment income

   $ 2,229,129  
Expenses         

Investment adviser fee

   $ 1,799,105  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     11,975  

Custodian fee

     158,598  

Legal and accounting services

     98,254  

Miscellaneous

     13,588  

Total expenses

   $ 2,081,520  

Net investment income

   $ 147,609  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)         

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 2,289,863  

Financial futures contracts

     12,955  

Foreign currency transactions

     (69,183

Net realized gain

   $ 2,233,635  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 20,051,348  

Financial futures contracts

     (109,517

Foreign currency

     (4,064

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 19,937,767  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 22,171,402  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 22,319,011  

 

  22   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Greater India Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 147,609      $ 459,186  

Net realized gain

     2,233,635        10,201,328  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     19,937,767        (41,772,091

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 22,319,011      $ (31,111,577

Capital transactions —

     

Contributions

   $ 12,649,694      $ 9,325,256  

Withdrawals

     (31,342,570      (38,464,729

Net decrease in net assets from capital transactions

   $ (18,692,876    $ (29,139,473

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ 3,626,135      $ (60,251,050
Net Assets

 

At beginning of year

   $ 213,186,340      $ 273,437,390  

At end of year

   $ 216,812,475      $ 213,186,340  

 

  23   See Notes to Financial Statements.


 

 

Greater India Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

    Year Ended December 31,  
Ratios/Supplemental Data   2019     2018     2017     2016     2015  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

         

Expenses(1)

    0.98     0.98     0.98     1.19     1.23

Net investment income (loss)

    0.07     0.19     0.76     (0.06 )%      (0.23 )% 

Portfolio Turnover

    21     29     25     91     30

Total Return

    11.17     (11.57 )%      45.78     3.35     (4.33 )% 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

  $ 216,812     $ 213,186     $ 273,437     $ 203,663     $ 238,167  

 

(1) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  24   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Greater India Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Greater India Portfolio (the Portfolio) is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as a non-diversified, open-end management investment company. The Portfolio’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue interests in the Portfolio. At December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Greater India Fund held a 99.9% interest in the Portfolio.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Portfolio. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Portfolio is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and ask prices on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and ask prices.

Derivatives. Financial futures contracts are valued at the closing settlement price established by the board of trade or exchange on which they are traded, with adjustments for fair valuation for certain foreign financial futures contracts as described below.

Foreign Securities, Financial Futures Contracts and Currencies. Foreign securities, financial futures contracts and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a third party pricing service. The pricing service uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Inputs to the model include reported trades and implied bid/ask spreads. The daily valuation of exchange-traded foreign securities and certain exchange-traded foreign financial futures contracts generally is determined as of the close of trading on the principal exchange on which such securities and contracts trade. Foreign ownership of shares of certain Indian companies may be subject to limitations. When foreign ownership of such an Indian company’s shares approaches the limitation, foreign investors may be willing to pay a premium to the local share price to acquire shares from other foreign investors. Such shares are valued at the closing price for foreign investors as provided by the exchange on which they trade. Events occurring after the close of trading on foreign exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities and certain foreign financial futures contracts to more accurately reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When valuing foreign equity securities and foreign financial futures contracts that meet certain criteria, the Portfolio’s Trustees have approved the use of a fair value service that values such securities and foreign financial futures contracts to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities and foreign financial futures contracts.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Portfolio in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Portfolio might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. However, if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as the Portfolio is informed of the ex-dividend date. Non-cash dividends are recorded at the fair value of the securities received. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Portfolio’s understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates. Interest income is recorded on the basis of interest accrued.

D  Federal and Other Taxes — The Portfolio has elected to be treated as a partnership for federal tax purposes. No provision is made by the Portfolio for federal or state taxes on any taxable income of the Portfolio because each investor in the Portfolio is ultimately responsible for the payment of any taxes on its share of taxable income. Since at least one of the Portfolio’s investors is a regulated investment company that invests all or substantially all of its assets in the Portfolio, the Portfolio normally must satisfy the applicable source of income and diversification requirements (under the Internal Revenue Code) in order for its investors to satisfy them. The Portfolio will allocate, at least annually among its investors, each investor’s distributive share of the Portfolio’s net investment income, net realized capital gains and losses and any other items of income, gain, loss, deduction or credit.

In addition to the requirements of the Internal Revenue Code, the Portfolio may also be subject to local taxes on the recognition of capital gains in India. In determining the daily net asset value, the Portfolio estimates the accrual for such taxes, if any, based on the unrealized appreciation on certain portfolio securities, the holding period of such securities, the related tax rates, and the availability of any realized losses in excess of gains that may be carried forward to offset future gains. Taxes attributable to unrealized appreciation are included in the change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) on investments. Capital gains taxes on certain Indian securities sold at a gain are included in net realized gain (loss) on investments. As of March 31, 2019,

 

  25  


Greater India Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

the Portfolio, for tax reporting in India, had accumulated losses of INR 1,605,271,344 (having a value of approximately $22,490,000 at December 31, 2019) that can be carried forward to offset future realized gains from the sale of certain Indian securities that would otherwise be subject to Indian capital gain taxes. These accumulated losses expire on March 31, 2020 (INR 535,151,798), March 31, 2022 (INR 90,144,310), March 31, 2026 (INR 74,501,836) and March 31, 2027 (INR 905,473,400). Of the accumulated losses as of March 31, 2019, INR 737,942,377 are short-term and INR 867,328,967 are long-term.

As of December 31, 2019, the Portfolio had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Portfolio files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing. The Portfolio also files a tax return in India annually as of March 31st. Such tax returns are subject to examination by the Indian tax authorities for open years as determined by the statute of limitations, which is generally a period of up to 7 years after a tax return is filed.

E  Foreign Currency Translation — Investment valuations, other assets, and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of foreign investment securities and income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions. Recognized gains or losses on investment transactions attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. That portion of unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.

F  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

G  Indemnifications — Under the Portfolio’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Portfolio. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, interestholders in the Portfolio could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Portfolio. However, the Portfolio’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Portfolio interestholders. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Portfolio enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Portfolio’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Portfolio that have not yet occurred.

H  Financial Futures Contracts — Upon entering into a financial futures contract, the Portfolio is required to deposit with the broker, either in cash or securities, an amount equal to a certain percentage of the contract amount (initial margin). Subsequent payments, known as variation margin, are made or received by the Portfolio each business day, depending on the daily fluctuations in the value of the underlying security or index, and are recorded as unrealized gains or losses by the Portfolio. Gains (losses) are realized upon the expiration or closing of the financial futures contracts. Should market conditions change unexpectedly, the Portfolio may not achieve the anticipated benefits of the financial futures contracts and may realize a loss. Futures contracts have minimal counterparty risk as they are exchange traded and the clearinghouse for the exchange is substituted as the counterparty, guaranteeing counterparty performance.

2  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of EVM, as compensation for management and investment advisory services rendered to the Portfolio. Pursuant to the investment advisory agreement and subsequent fee reduction agreement between the Portfolio and BMR, the fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.85% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets up to $500 million and is payable monthly. On net assets of $500 million and over, the annual fee is reduced. The fee reduction cannot be terminated or reduced without the approval of a majority vote of the Trustees of the Portfolio who are not interested persons of BMR or the Portfolio and by vote of a majority of the holders of interest in the Portfolio. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the investment adviser fee amounted to $1,799,105 or 0.85% of the Portfolio’s average daily net assets. Pursuant to a sub-advisory agreement, BMR pays Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P. a portion of its investment adviser fee for sub-advisory services provided to the Portfolio.

Trustees and officers of the Portfolio who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Portfolio out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Portfolio who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2019, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Portfolio are officers of the above organizations.

3  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $43,217,601 and $56,310,401, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

  26  


Greater India Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

4  Federal Income Tax Basis of Investments

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Portfolio at December 31, 2019, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 162,495,287  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 56,143,087  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (3,185,517

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 52,957,570  

5  Financial Instruments

The Portfolio may trade in financial instruments with off-balance sheet risk in the normal course of its investing activities. These financial instruments may include financial futures contracts and may involve, to a varying degree, elements of risk in excess of the amounts recognized for financial statement purposes. The notional or contractual amounts of these instruments represent the investment the Portfolio has in particular classes of financial instruments and do not necessarily represent the amounts potentially subject to risk. The measurement of the risks associated with these instruments is meaningful only when all related and offsetting transactions are considered. At December 31, 2019, there were no obligations outstanding under these financial instruments.

The Portfolio is subject to equity price risk in the normal course of pursuing its investment objective. During the year ended December 31, 2019, the Portfolio entered into equity index futures contracts to manage cash flows.

The effect of derivative instruments (not considered to be hedging instruments for accounting disclosure purposes) on the Statement of Operations and whose primary underlying risk exposure is equity price risk for the year ended December 31, 2019 was as follows:

 

Derivative    Realized Gain (Loss)
on Derivatives Recognized
in Income
(1)
    

Change in Unrealized

Appreciation (Depreciation) on

Derivatives Recognized in Income(2)

 

Financial futures contracts

   $ 12,955      $ (109,517

 

(1) 

Statement of Operations location: Net realized gain (loss) – Financial futures contracts.

 

(2) 

Statement of Operations location: Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) – Financial futures contracts.

The average notional cost of futures contracts (long) outstanding during the year ended December 31, 2019, which is indicative of the volume of this derivative type, was approximately $5,476,000.

6  Line of Credit

The Portfolio participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in an $800 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 27, 2020. In connection with the renewal of the agreement on October 29, 2019, funds managed by Calvert Research and Management, an affiliate of EVM, were added as participating funds to the agreement and the borrowing limit was increased from $625 million. Borrowings are made by the Portfolio solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to the Portfolio based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Eurodollar rate or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Portfolio, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Portfolio did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the year ended December 31, 2019.

7  Risks Associated with Foreign Investments

Investing in securities issued by companies whose principal business activities are outside the United States may involve significant risks not present in domestic investments. For example, there is generally less publicly available information about foreign companies, particularly those not subject to the disclosure and reporting requirements of the U.S. securities laws. Certain foreign issuers are generally not bound by uniform accounting, auditing, and financial reporting requirements and standards of practice comparable to those applicable to domestic issuers. Investments in foreign securities also involve the risk of possible adverse changes in investment or exchange control regulations, expropriation or confiscatory taxation, limitation on the removal of funds

 

  27  


Greater India Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

or other assets of the Portfolio, political or financial instability or diplomatic and other developments which could affect such investments. Foreign securities markets, while growing in volume and sophistication, are generally not as developed as those in the United States, and securities of some foreign issuers (particularly those located in developing countries) may be less liquid and more volatile than securities of comparable U.S. companies. In general, there is less overall governmental supervision and regulation of foreign securities markets, broker/dealers and issuers than in the United States.

The securities markets in the India region are substantially smaller, less liquid and more volatile than the major securities markets in the United States, which may result in trading or price volatility and difficulties in the settlement and recording of transactions, and in interpreting and applying relevant laws and regulations. Governmental actions can have a significant effect on the economic conditions in the India region, which could adversely affect the value and liquidity of investments.

8 Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At December 31, 2019, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Portfolio’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

           

Communication Services

   $      $ 10,412,282      $      $ 10,412,282  

Consumer Discretionary

            27,053,442                —        27,053,442  

Consumer Staples

            16,772,955               16,772,955  

Energy

            21,903,644               21,903,644  

Financials

            71,979,419               71,979,419  

Health Care

            14,907,841               14,907,841  

Industrials

            8,960,810               8,960,810  

Information Technology

     1,277,348        31,690,667               32,968,015  

Materials

            7,362,283               7,362,283  

Real Estate

            3,132,166               3,132,166  

Total Common Stocks

   $ 1,277,348      $ 214,175,509    $      $ 215,452,857  

Total Investments

   $ 1,277,348      $ 214,175,509      $         —      $ 215,452,857  

 

*

Includes foreign equity securities whose values were adjusted to reflect market trading of comparable securities or other correlated instruments that occurred after the close of trading in their applicable foreign markets.

 

  28  


Greater India Portfolio

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees and Investors of Greater India Portfolio:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Greater India Portfolio (the “Portfolio”), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Portfolio as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Portfolio’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Portfolio’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Portfolio in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Portfolio is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Portfolio’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  29  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization

 

 

Fund Management.  The Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust) and Greater India Portfolio (the Portfolio) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s and Portfolio’s affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Trust and the Portfolio are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Trustees and officers of the Trust and the Portfolio hold indefinite terms of office. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust and the Portfolio, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is the Fund’s principal underwriter, the Portfolio’s placement agent and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 159 portfolios in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure). Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds. Each Trustee and officer serves until his or her successor is elected.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the Trust

and the

Portfolio

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Interested Trustee              

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

1958

   Trustee      2007     

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 159 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust and the Portfolio.

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm).

Noninterested Trustees              

Mark R. Fetting

1954

   Trustee      2016     

Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Cynthia E. Frost

1961

   Trustee      2014     

Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

George J. Gorman

1952

   Trustee      2014     

Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) (2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds (9 funds) (2010-2014).

Valerie A. Mosley

1960

   Trustee      2014     

Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Former Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Former Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (since 2013).

 

  30  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the Trust

and the

Portfolio

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Noninterested Trustees (continued)              

William H. Park

1947

   Chairperson of the Board and Trustee     

2016 (Chairperson)

2003 (Trustee)

    

Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Helen Frame Peters

1948

   Trustee      2008     

Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Keith Quinton

1958

   Trustee      2018     

Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (since 2017). Advisory Committee member at Northfield Information Services, Inc. (risk management analytics provider) (since 2016). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank (since 2016).

Marcus L. Smith

1966

   Trustee      2018     

Member of Posse Boston Advisory Board (foundation) (since 2015). Trustee at University of Mount Union (since 2008). Formerly, Portfolio Manager at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm) (1994-2017).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018).

Susan J. Sutherland

1957

   Trustee      2015     

Private investor. Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (global provider of customized insurance and reinsurance products) (2013-2015).

Scott E. Wennerholm

1959

   Trustee      2016     

Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)
with the Trust

and the

Portfolio

     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

Payson F. Swaffield

1956

   President of the Trust      2003      Vice President and Chief Income Investment Officer of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”).

 

  31  


Eaton Vance

Greater India Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)
with the Trust

and the

Portfolio

     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees (continued)

Edward J. Perkin

1972

   President of the Portfolio      2014      Chief Equity Investment Officer and Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2014. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”) since 2016.

Maureen A. Gemma

1960

   Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer      2005      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

James F. Kirchner

1967

   Treasurer      2007      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

Richard F. Froio

1968

   Chief Compliance Officer      2017      Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2017. Formerly Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Adviser/Funds) and Chief Compliance Officer (Distribution) at PIMCO (2012-2017) and Managing Director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors (2009-2012).

 

(1) 

Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise.

(2) 

Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise, year of most recent election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election.

The SAI for the Fund includes additional information about the Trustees and officers of the Fund and the Portfolio and can be obtained without charge on Eaton Vance’s website at www.eatonvance.com or by calling 1-800-262-1122.

 

  32  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each entity listed below has adopted a privacy policy and procedures (“Privacy Program”) Eaton Vance believes is reasonably designed to protect your personal information and to govern when and with whom Eaton Vance may share your personal information.

 

 

At the time of opening an account, Eaton Vance generally requires you to provide us with certain information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account numbers, and account balances. This information is necessary for us to both open an account for you and to allow us to satisfy legal requirements such as applicable anti-money laundering reviews and know-your-customer requirements.

 

 

On an ongoing basis, in the normal course of servicing your account, Eaton Vance may share your information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various services for Eaton Vance and/or your account. These third parties include transfer agents, custodians, broker/dealers and our professional advisers, including auditors, accountants, and legal counsel. Eaton Vance may additionally share your personal information with our affiliates.

 

 

We believe our Privacy Program is reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access to that information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Program at any time upon proper notification to you. You may want to review our Privacy Program periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of protecting your personal information applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Limited, Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, and Calvert Funds. This Privacy Notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about our Privacy Program or about how your personal information may be used, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-PORT will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

  33  


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Investment Adviser of Eaton Vance Greater India Fund and Greater India Portfolio

Boston Management and Research

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Investment Sub-Adviser of Eaton Vance Greater India Fund and Greater India Portfolio

Goldman Sachs Asset Management, L.P.

200 West Street

New York, NY 10282

Administrator of Eaton Vance Greater India Fund

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 262-1122

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
*

FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


LOGO

 

LOGO

142    12.31.19


LOGO

 

 

Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

Important Note. Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (eatonvance.com/funddocuments), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you are a direct investor, you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up for e-Delivery at eatonvance.com/edelivery. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you are a direct investor, you can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-262-1122. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Eaton Vance funds held directly or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.

 

LOGO


 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current summary prospectus or prospectus. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund. This and other important information is contained in the summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial intermediary. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. For further information, please call 1-800-262-1122.


Annual Report December 31, 2019

Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

     2  

Performance

     3  

Fund Profile

     4  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     5  

Fund Expenses

     6  

Financial Statements

     7  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     23  

Federal Tax Information

     24  

Management and Organization

     25  

Important Notices

     27  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance1

 

 

Economic and Market Conditions

With virtually every U.S. equity index posting strong double-digit returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 — and bond markets solidly in the black as well — 2019 was a good year for investments.

As the new year dawned in January 2019, investors appeared to be taking a “glass is half full” approach. Although U.S. manufacturing output and business investment remained weak — held back by slowing global growth and an on-again/off-again U.S.-China trade war — strong spending by U.S. consumers and dovish remarks by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) combined to lift investor sentiment. After four federal funds rate hikes the previous year, markets began to project the Fed might actually lower rates in 2019 to stimulate the economy. U.S. unemployment, meanwhile, remained low and hiring remained strong.

As a result, U.S. stocks across multiple markets climbed from January through April 2019. Overseas, central banks around the world began to cut interest rates and employ other tools to stimulate their respective economies. Even a global stock pullback in May — sparked by heightened concerns about the U.S.-China trade spat — proved to be temporary, and the U.S. and global stock rallies resumed in June and July.

After holding interest rates steady through the first half of the year, the Fed cut the federal funds rate on July 31, 2019 — its first reduction in over a decade — followed by two additional rate cuts in September and October to end the period at 1.50%-1.75%. By end of the third quarter, 60 central banks around the world had lowered their interest rates as well.

After falling in August, U.S. equities rallied again during the final months of the period, spurred by optimism about a U.S.-China trade détente and better-than-expected U.S. employment reports. The year ended with two events in December that did much to allay investor concerns about international trade and tariffs: passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Trump administration’s agreement to a so-called “phase–one” trade deal with China.

During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average®2 returned 25.34%, while the broader U.S. equity market, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, returned 31.49%. The technology-laden Nasdaq Composite Index returned 36.69% during the period. Large-cap U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, generally outperformed their small-cap counterparts, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. As a group, growth stocks outpaced value stocks in both large- and small-cap categories, as measured by the Russell growth and value indexes.

Fund Performance

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Growth Fund (the Fund) returned 30.38% for Class A shares at net asset value (NAV), underperforming its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Growth Index (the Index), which returned 36.39%

The Fund underperformed the Index due primarily to stock selection, although sector and industry allocation also detracted from relative performance. Of the 11 market sectors in the Index, the Fund had positive returns in the 10 sectors in which it was invested. The Index had positive returns in all 11 sectors, but only one sector — information technology (IT) — had returns that outpaced the Index as a whole.

As a diversified Fund, the returns relative to the Index during the period were constrained by the outperformance and concentrated stock leadership in the IT sector. Within the sector, Fund positions in the software industry were a drag on returns during the period. Security software company SailPoint Technologies Holdings, Inc. and webhosting leader GoDaddy, Inc. were among the Fund’s weakest individual performers as their stock prices retreated after disappointing financial results. The Fund’s biggest detractor was the underweighting of computer and smartphone leader Apple, Inc., which generated sizeable stock returns despite earnings deceleration.

Stock selection in the communication services sector also detracted from Fund results relative to the Index. While Walt Disney Co. was among the Fund’s best-performing stocks on an absolute basis, an overweight to the lagging entertainment industry offset strong absolute returns.

The financials sector hampered Fund performance relative to the Index during the period largely due to stock selection. Brokerage giant Charles Schwab Corp. was among the Fund’s poorest-performing stocks amid mounting competitive pressures on fees and the business implications of continued consolidation in the retail brokerage industry.

On the positive side, the health care sector contributed to relative Fund performance versus the Index due to stock selection. The best-performing stock within the Fund was biotech oncology company Loxo Oncology, Inc., an out-of-Index holding, whose stock price jumped when it was acquired by a major pharmaceutical company.

The consumer discretionary sector also contributed to Fund results relative to the Index due to stock selection. In the outperforming auto components industry, Aptiv PLC, a smart auto components manufacturer, was one of the Fund’s leading stocks after reporting strong sales growth. The Fund’s underweight position in the lagging hotels, restaurants & leisure industry also boosted Fund performance relative to the Index.

Stock selection and an underweight position in the industrials sector also aided Fund results relative to the Index, as the sector trailed during the period. In particular, the Fund’s lack of exposure to the underperforming industrial conglomerates and machinery industries contributed to relative Fund performance versus the Index during the period.

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Performance2,3

 

Portfolio Managers Lewis R. Piantedosi and Yana S. Barton, CFA

 

% Average Annual Total Returns

   Class
Inception Date
     Performance
Inception Date
     One Year      Five Years      Ten Years  

Class A at NAV

     09/09/2002        09/09/2002        30.38      12.41      12.95

Class A with 5.75% Maximum Sales Charge

                   22.88        11.09        12.28  

Class C at NAV

     09/09/2002        09/09/2002        29.35        11.57        12.11  

Class C with 1% Maximum Sales Charge

                   28.35        11.57        12.11  

Class I at NAV

     05/03/2007        09/09/2002        30.65        12.69        13.23  

Class R at NAV

     08/03/2009        09/09/2002        30.03        12.12        12.67  

Russell 1000® Growth Index

                   36.39      14.62      15.21
              
% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios4            Class A      Class C      Class I      Class R  

Gross

        1.09      1.84      0.84      1.34

Net

        1.05        1.80        0.80        1.30  

Growth of $10,000

 

This graph shows the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A of the Fund for the period indicated. For comparison, the same investment is shown in the indicated index.

 

LOGO

 

Growth of Investment    Amount Invested      Period Beginning      At NAV     With Maximum Sales Charge  

Class C

   $ 10,000        12/31/2009      $ 31,371       N.A.  

Class I

   $ 250,000        12/31/2009      $ 866,568       N.A.  

Class R

   $ 10,000        12/31/2009      $ 32,991       N.A.  

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Profile

 

 

Sector Allocation (% of net assets)5

 

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)5

 

 

Amazon.com, Inc.

     7.7

Visa, Inc., Class A

     6.4  

Microsoft Corp.

     5.2  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C

     4.6  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A

     3.5  

Adobe, Inc.

     3.3  

salesforce.com, Inc.

     3.2  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

     2.8  

Facebook, Inc., Class A

     2.6  

Apple, Inc.

     2.1  

Total

     41.4
 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as “forward looking statements.” The Fund’s actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2 

Dow Jones Industrial Average® is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally the leaders in their industry. S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index of large-cap stocks commonly used as a measure of U.S. stock market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices are a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P DJI”) and have been licensed for use. S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of S&P DJI; Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); S&P DJI, Dow Jones and their respective affiliates do not sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the Fund, will not have any liability with respect thereto and do not have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P Dow Jones Indices. Nasdaq Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of all domestic and international securities listed on Nasdaq. Source: Nasdaq, Inc. The information is provided by Nasdaq (with its affiliates, are referred to as the “Corporations”) and Nasdaq’s third party licensors on an “as is” basis and the Corporations make no guarantees and bear no liability of any kind with respect to the information or the Fund. Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of 2,000 U.S. small-cap stocks. Russell 1000® Growth Index is an unmanaged index of U.S. large-cap growth stocks. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

3 

Total Returns at NAV do not include applicable sales charges. If sales charges were deducted, the returns would be lower. Total Returns shown with maximum sales charge reflect the stated maximum sales charge. Unless otherwise stated, performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

4

Source: Fund prospectus. Net expense ratios reflect a contractual expense reimbursement that continues through 4/30/20. Without the reimbursement, performance would have been lower. The expense ratios for the current reporting period can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.

 

5

Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

 

  

Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

 

 

  5  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Expenses

 

 

Example:  As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and redemption fees (if applicable); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of Fund investing and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019).

Actual Expenses:  The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:  The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual Fund expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year (before expenses), which is not the actual Fund return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees (if applicable). Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would be higher.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(7/1/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(12/31/19)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(7/1/19 – 12/31/19)
    

Annualized
Expense

Ratio

 

Actual

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,095.10      $ 5.54 **       1.05

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,090.50      $ 9.48 **       1.80

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,096.10      $ 4.23 **       0.80

Class R

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,093.30      $ 6.86 **       1.30
         

Hypothetical

          

(5% return per year before expenses)

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.90      $ 5.35 **       1.05

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,016.10      $ 9.15 **       1.80

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.20      $ 4.08 **       0.80

Class R

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.70      $ 6.61 **       1.30

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on June 30, 2019.

 

**

Absent an allocation of certain expenses to an affiliate, expenses would be higher.

 

  6  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

Common Stocks — 99.5%

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Aerospace & Defense — 2.8%  

Boeing Co. (The)

    11,149     $ 3,631,898  

Hexcel Corp.

    30,176       2,212,202  

Raytheon Co.

    13,682       3,006,483  
            $ 8,850,583  
Auto Components — 1.9%  

Aptiv PLC

    65,303     $ 6,201,826  
            $ 6,201,826  
Banks — 3.2%  

Bank of America Corp.

    154,228     $ 5,431,910  

JPMorgan Chase & Co.

    34,721       4,840,107  
            $ 10,272,017  
Beverages — 1.4%  

Coca-Cola Co. (The)

    54,728     $ 3,029,195  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    10,960       1,497,903  
            $ 4,527,098  
Biotechnology — 3.4%  

Amgen, Inc.

    3,593     $ 866,165  

Argenx SE ADR(1)

    13,135       2,108,430  

Blueprint Medicines Corp.(1)

    23,281       1,865,041  

Deciphera Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1)

    12,500       778,000  

Exact Sciences Corp.(1)(2)

    19,210       1,776,541  

Mirati Therapeutics, Inc.(1)(2)

    8,918       1,149,173  

Vertex Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1)

    11,442       2,505,226  
            $ 11,048,576  
Building Products — 0.7%  

Fortune Brands Home & Security, Inc.

    32,747     $ 2,139,689  
            $ 2,139,689  
Capital Markets — 1.1%  

Charles Schwab Corp. (The)

    71,777     $ 3,413,714  
            $ 3,413,714  
Chemicals — 1.0%  

LyondellBasell Industries NV, Class A

    22,910     $ 2,164,537  

Sherwin-Williams Co. (The)

    1,752       1,022,362  
            $ 3,186,899  
Security   Shares     Value  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 1.5%  

Waste Connections, Inc.

    24,582     $ 2,231,800  

Waste Management, Inc.

    24,017       2,736,977  
            $ 4,968,777  
Communications Equipment — 0.8%  

Arista Networks, Inc.(1)

    12,328     $ 2,507,515  
            $ 2,507,515  
Containers & Packaging — 0.7%  

Avery Dennison Corp.

    16,570     $ 2,167,687  
            $ 2,167,687  
Electrical Equipment — 1.4%  

AMETEK, Inc.

    44,928     $ 4,481,119  
            $ 4,481,119  
Electronic Equipment, Instruments & Components — 1.6%  

Zebra Technologies Corp., Class A(1)

    20,065     $ 5,125,404  
            $ 5,125,404  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.8%  

Schlumberger, Ltd.

    64,088     $ 2,576,338  
            $ 2,576,338  
Entertainment — 2.0%  

Netflix, Inc.(1)

    4,281     $ 1,385,203  

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    34,404       4,975,851  
            $ 6,361,054  
Food Products — 0.6%  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    35,710     $ 1,966,907  
            $ 1,966,907  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 5.5%  

Abbott Laboratories

    37,217     $ 3,232,669  

Boston Scientific Corp.(1)

    111,747       5,053,199  

Danaher Corp.

    24,191       3,712,835  

Intuitive Surgical, Inc.(1)

    9,784       5,783,811  
            $ 17,782,514  
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.9%  

Anthem, Inc.

    20,230     $ 6,110,067  
            $ 6,110,067  
 

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 1.6%  

Planet Fitness, Inc., Class A(1)

    35,609     $ 2,659,280  

Wynn Resorts, Ltd.

    18,406       2,556,041  
            $ 5,215,321  
Interactive Media & Services — 12.3%  

Alphabet, Inc., Class A(1)

    8,421     $ 11,279,003  

Alphabet, Inc., Class C(1)

    11,107       14,850,281  

Facebook, Inc., Class A(1)

    40,343       8,280,401  

IAC/InterActiveCorp.(1)

    12,524       3,119,854  

Twitter, Inc.(1)

    59,692       1,913,128  
            $ 39,442,667  
Internet & Direct Marketing Retail — 7.7%  

Amazon.com, Inc.(1)

    13,478     $ 24,905,187  
            $ 24,905,187  
IT Services — 10.2%  

GoDaddy, Inc., Class A(1)

    88,384     $ 6,003,041  

PayPal Holdings, Inc.(1)

    59,265       6,410,695  

Visa, Inc., Class A

    109,095       20,498,951  
            $ 32,912,687  
Life Sciences Tools & Services — 1.9%  

10X Genomics, Inc., Class A(1)

    12,837     $ 978,821  

Agilent Technologies, Inc.

    31,797       2,712,602  

Illumina, Inc.(1)

    7,378       2,447,578  
            $ 6,139,001  
Media — 0.7%  

Fox Corp., Class A

    57,209     $ 2,120,738  
            $ 2,120,738  
Pharmaceuticals — 4.0%  

AstraZeneca PLC ADR

    55,883     $ 2,786,326  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    59,953       3,848,383  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    69,620       6,331,939  
            $ 12,966,648  
Road & Rail — 0.8%  

CSX Corp.

    35,597     $ 2,575,799  
            $ 2,575,799  
Security   Shares     Value  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 5.4%  

Micron Technology, Inc.(1)

    66,267     $ 3,563,839  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    103,756       9,154,392  

Texas Instruments, Inc.

    37,385       4,796,122  
            $ 17,514,353  
Software — 16.1%  

Adobe, Inc.(1)

    32,014     $ 10,558,537  

Intuit, Inc.

    21,629       5,665,284  

Microsoft Corp.

    105,550       16,645,235  

Palo Alto Networks, Inc.(1)

    8,700       2,011,875  

SailPoint Technologies Holding, Inc.(1)

    108,795       2,567,562  

salesforce.com, Inc.(1)

    64,309       10,459,216  

Zscaler, Inc.(1)(2)

    84,549       3,931,529  
            $ 51,839,238  
Specialty Retail — 2.7%  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    54,730     $ 6,554,465  

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

    34,703       2,118,965  
            $ 8,673,430  
Technology Hardware, Storage & Peripherals — 2.1%  

Apple, Inc.

    22,845     $ 6,708,434  
            $ 6,708,434  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 1.7%  

NIKE, Inc., Class B

    54,758     $ 5,547,533  
            $ 5,547,533  

Total Common Stocks
(identified cost $169,441,585)

 

  $ 320,248,820  
Rights — 0.3%    
Security   Shares     Value  
Pharmaceuticals — 0.3%  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co. CVR, Exp. 3/31/21(1)

    363,471     $ 1,094,048  

Total Rights
(identified cost $829,881)

 

  $ 1,094,048  
 

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Short-Term Investments — 0.3%    
Description   Units     Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%(3)

    891,636     $ 891,636  

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $891,565)

 

  $ 891,636  

Total Investments — 100.1%
(identified cost $171,163,031)

 

  $ 322,234,504  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.1)%

          $ (366,849

Net Assets — 100.0%

          $ 321,867,655  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

(1) 

Non-income producing security.

 

(2) 

All or a portion of this security was on loan at December 31, 2019. The aggregate market value of securities on loan at December 31, 2019 was $6,788,458.

 

(3) 

Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2019.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
CVR     Contingent Value Rights
 

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Unaffiliated investments, at value including $6,788,458 of securities on loan (identified cost, $170,271,466)

   $ 321,342,868  

Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $891,565)

     891,636  

Dividends receivable

     150,015  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investment

     810  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     93,680  

Securities lending income receivable

     634  

Tax reclaims receivable

     110,796  

Receivable from affiliate

     17,221  

Total assets

   $ 322,607,660  
Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

   $ 300,573  

Payable to affiliates:

  

Investment adviser fee

     175,682  

Distribution and service fees

     65,372  

Trustees’ fees

     4,425  

Accrued expenses

     193,953  

Total liabilities

   $ 740,005  

Net Assets

   $ 321,867,655  
Sources of Net Assets

 

Paid-in capital

   $ 165,448,994  

Distributable earnings

     156,418,661  

Total

   $ 321,867,655  
Class A Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 236,456,504  

Shares Outstanding

     8,406,995  

Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 28.13  

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

  

(100 ÷ 94.25 of net asset value per share)

   $ 29.85  
Class C Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 17,501,109  

Shares Outstanding

     768,096  

Net Asset Value and Offering Price Per Share*

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 22.79  
Class I Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 65,646,347  

Shares Outstanding

     2,247,974  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 29.20  
Class R Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 2,263,695  

Shares Outstanding

     83,123  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 27.23  

 

On sales of $50,000 or more, the offering price of Class A shares is reduced.

 

  
*

Redemption price per share is equal to the net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Dividends (net of foreign taxes, $15,214)

   $ 2,962,093  

Dividends from affiliated investment

     22,524  

Securities lending income, net

     26,374  

Total investment income

   $ 3,010,991  
Expenses         

Investment adviser fee

   $ 2,143,890  

Distribution and service fees

  

Class A

     569,710  

Class C

     215,972  

Class R

     14,458  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     18,192  

Custodian fee

     87,506  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     329,030  

Legal and accounting services

     55,165  

Printing and postage

     38,628  

Registration fees

     59,803  

Miscellaneous

     30,894  

Total expenses

   $ 3,563,248  

Deduct —

  

Allocation of expenses to affiliate

   $ 116,796  

Total expense reductions

   $ 116,796  

Net expenses

   $ 3,446,452  

Net investment loss

   $ (435,461
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)         

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 38,424,135  

Investment transactions — affiliated investment

     (622

Foreign currency transactions

     91  

Net realized gain

   $ 38,423,604  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 49,261,393  

Investments — affiliated investment

     64  

Foreign currency

     (132

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 49,261,325  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 87,684,929  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 87,249,468  

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

 

Net investment loss

   $ (435,461    $ (521,866

Net realized gain

     38,423,604        34,461,123  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     49,261,325        (31,206,770

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 87,249,468      $ 2,732,487  

Distributions to shareholders —

 

Class A

   $ (19,933,190    $ (24,204,622

Class C

     (1,838,413      (5,206,991

Class I

     (5,682,677      (9,715,041

Class R

     (190,725      (374,416

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (27,645,005    $ (39,501,070

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

 

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

Class A

   $ 11,587,924      $ 16,474,915  

Class C

     1,833,899        4,753,672  

Class I

     15,275,659        21,385,481  

Class R

     407,315        742,398  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

 

Class A

     18,389,458        22,215,152  

Class C

     1,635,011        4,834,021  

Class I

     5,539,930        9,519,787  

Class R

     157,118        296,311  

Cost of shares redeemed

 

Class A

     (38,424,586      (36,050,791

Class C

     (8,928,687      (11,236,195

Class I

     (50,226,391      (21,372,672

Class R

     (1,903,334      (1,151,015

Net asset value of shares converted

 

Class A

     16,669,280         

Class C

     (16,669,280       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ (44,656,684    $ 10,411,064  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ 14,947,779      $ (26,357,519
Net Assets

 

At beginning of year

   $ 306,919,876      $ 333,277,395  

At end of year

   $ 321,867,655      $ 306,919,876  

 

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Class A  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 23.610      $ 26.650     $ 22.300     $ 22.230     $ 21.670  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                          

Net investment income (loss)(1)

   $ (0.037    $ (0.034   $ (0.021   $ 0.047     $ 0.140  

Net realized and unrealized gain

     7.095        0.301       5.680       0.451       1.387  

Total income from operations

   $ 7.058      $ 0.267     $ 5.659     $ 0.498     $ 1.527  
Less Distributions                                          

From net investment income

   $      $     $ (0.029   $ (0.085   $  

From net realized gain

     (2.538      (3.307     (1.280     (0.343     (0.967

Total distributions

   $ (2.538    $ (3.307   $ (1.309   $ (0.428   $ (0.967

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 28.130      $ 23.610     $ 26.650     $ 22.300     $ 22.230  

Total Return(2)(3)

     30.38      0.27     25.42     2.32     7.04
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 236,457      $ 190,017     $ 209,606     $ 194,018     $ 214,135  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

           

Expenses(3)(4)

     1.05      1.05 %(5)      1.05 %(5)      1.05 %(5)      1.05 %(5) 

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.14 )%       (0.12 )%(5)      (0.08 )%(5)      0.22 %(5)      0.62 %(5) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio

            20 %(6)(7)      50 %(7)      60 %(7)      55 %(7) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     40      28 %(6)(8)                   

 

(1)  

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.04%, 0.04%, 0.06%, 0.08% and 0.07% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(5) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(6) 

Not annualized.

 

(7) 

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(8) 

For the period from May 14, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Growth Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to the close of business on May 11, 2018 and which had the same investment objective and policies as the Fund during such period.

 

  13   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class C  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 19.660      $ 22.870     $ 19.410     $ 19.460     $ 19.230  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                          

Net investment loss(1)

   $ (0.206    $ (0.214   $ (0.183   $ (0.101   $ (0.025

Net realized and unrealized gain

     5.874        0.311       4.923       0.394       1.222  

Total income from operations

   $ 5.668      $ 0.097     $ 4.740     $ 0.293     $ 1.197  
Less Distributions                                          

From net realized gain

   $ (2.538    $ (3.307   $ (1.280   $ (0.343   $ (0.967

Total distributions

   $ (2.538    $ (3.307   $ (1.280   $ (0.343   $ (0.967

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 22.790      $ 19.660     $ 22.870     $ 19.410     $ 19.460  

Total Return(2)(3)

     29.35      (0.43 )%      24.45     1.57     6.20
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 17,501      $ 35,061     $ 41,450     $ 41,272     $ 48,285  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

           

Expenses(3)(4)

     1.80      1.80 %(5)      1.80 %(5)      1.80 %(5)      1.80 %(5) 

Net investment loss

     (0.91 )%       (0.87 )%(5)      (0.83 )%(5)      (0.53 )%(5)      (0.13 )%(5) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio

            20 %(6)(7)      50 %(7)      60 %(7)      55 %(7) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     40      28 %(6)(8)                   

 

(1)  

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.04%, 0.04%, 0.06%, 0.08% and 0.07% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(5) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(6) 

Not annualized.

 

(7) 

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(8) 

For the period from May 14, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Growth Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to the close of business on May 11, 2018 and which had the same investment objective and policies as the Fund during such period.

 

  14   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class I  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 24.380      $ 27.340     $ 22.850      $ 22.760     $ 22.120  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                           

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.029      $ 0.040     $ 0.043      $ 0.108     $ 0.192  

Net realized and unrealized gain

     7.329        0.307       5.820        0.461       1.415  

Total income from operations

   $ 7.358      $ 0.347     $ 5.863      $ 0.569     $ 1.607  
Less Distributions                                           

From net investment income

   $      $     $ (0.093    $ (0.136   $  

From net realized gain

     (2.538      (3.307     (1.280      (0.343     (0.967

Total distributions

   $ (2.538    $ (3.307   $ (1.373    $ (0.479   $ (0.967

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 29.200      $ 24.380     $ 27.340      $ 22.850     $ 22.760  

Total Return(2)(3)

     30.65      0.56     25.72      2.59     7.26
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                           

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 65,646      $ 78,812     $ 78,775      $ 61,036     $ 58,746  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

            

Expenses(3)(4)

     0.80      0.80 %(5)      0.80 %(5)       0.80 %(5)      0.80 %(5) 

Net investment income

     0.10      0.14 %(5)      0.16 %(5)       0.48 %(5)      0.84 %(5) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio

            20 %(6)(7)      50 %(7)       60 %(7)      55 %(7) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     40      28 %(6)(8)                    

 

(1)  

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.04%, 0.04%, 0.06%, 0.08% and 0.07% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

(4) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

(5) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

(6) 

Not annualized.

(7) 

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

(8) 

For the period from May 14, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Growth Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to the close of business on May 11, 2018 and which had the same investment objective and policies as the Fund during such period.

 

  15   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class R  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017     2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 22.980      $ 26.090     $ 21.880     $ 21.800     $ 21.320  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                          

Net investment income (loss)(1)

   $ (0.105    $ (0.104   $ (0.082   $ (0.010   $ 0.059  

Net realized and unrealized gain

     6.893        0.301       5.572       0.439       1.388  

Total income from operations

   $ 6.788      $ 0.197     $ 5.490     $ 0.429     $ 1.447  
Less Distributions                                          

From net investment income

   $      $     $     $ (0.006   $  

From net realized gain

     (2.538      (3.307     (1.280     (0.343     (0.967

Total distributions

   $ (2.538    $ (3.307   $ (1.280   $ (0.349   $ (0.967

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 27.230      $ 22.980     $ 26.090     $ 21.880     $ 21.800  

Total Return(2)(3)

     30.03      0.01     25.12     2.03     6.77
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                          

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 2,264      $ 3,030     $ 3,447     $ 3,217     $ 4,186  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

           

Expenses(3)(4)

     1.30      1.30 %(5)      1.30 %(5)      1.30 %(5)      1.30 %(5) 

Net investment income (loss)

     (0.39 )%       (0.37 )%(5)      (0.33 )%(5)      (0.05 )%(5)      0.27 %(5) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio

            20 %(6)(7)      50 %(7)      60 %(7)      55 %(7) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     40      28 %(6)(8)                   

 

(1)  

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.04%, 0.04%, 0.06%, 0.08% and 0.07% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(5) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(6) 

Not annualized.

 

(7) 

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(8) 

For the period from May 14, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Growth Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to the close of business on May 11, 2018 and which had the same investment objective and policies as the Fund during such period.

 

  16   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Growth Fund (the Fund) is a diversified series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek total return. The Fund offers four classes of shares. Class A shares are generally sold subject to a sales charge imposed at time of purchase. Class C shares are sold at net asset value and are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (see Note 5). Effective January 25, 2019, Class C shares generally automatically convert to Class A shares ten years after their purchase as described in the Fund’s prospectus. Class I and Class R shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge. Each class represents a pro-rata interest in the Fund, but votes separately on class-specific matters and (as noted below) is subject to different expenses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income and losses, other than class-specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class of shares differs in its distribution plan and certain other class-specific expenses.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and ask prices on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and ask prices.

Affiliated Fund. The Fund may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a third party pricing service.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Fund in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates.

D  Federal Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

E  Expenses — The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

F  Foreign Currency Translation — Other assets and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions.

G  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

 

  17  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

H  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

It is the present policy of the Fund to make at least one distribution annually (normally in December) of all or substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are declared separately for each class of shares. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund at the net asset value as of the ex-dividend date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018  

Long-term capital gains

   $ 27,645,005      $ 39,501,070  

During the year ended December 31, 2019, distributable earnings was decreased by $2,562,625 and paid-in capital was increased by $2,562,625 due to the Fund’s use of equalization accounting and differences between book and tax accounting for net operating losses. Tax equalization accounting allows the Fund to treat as a distribution that portion of redemption proceeds representing a redeeming shareholder’s portion of undistributed taxable income and net capital gains. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.

As of December 31, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   

Undistributed long-term capital gains

   $ 5,483,941  

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 150,934,720  

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Fund at December 31, 2019, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 171,299,770  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 152,007,885  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,073,151

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 150,934,734  

3  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of EVM, as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to $500 million and is payable monthly. On net assets of $500 million and over, the annual fee is reduced. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund’s investment adviser fee amounted to $2,143,890 or 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Fund invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund.

 

  18  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

EVM serves as the administrator of the Fund, but currently receives no compensation. EVM has agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent that total annual operating expenses (relating to ordinary operating expenses only) exceed 1.05%, 1.80%, 0.80% and 1.30% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R, respectively. This agreement may be changed or terminated after April 30, 2020. Pursuant to this agreement, EVM was allocated $116,796 of the Fund’s operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019.

EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2019, EVM earned $87,136 from the Fund pursuant to such agreement, which is included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations. The Fund was informed that Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM and the Fund’s principal underwriter, received $13,126 as its portion of the sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the year ended December 31, 2019. EVD also received distribution and service fees from Class A, Class C and Class R shares (see Note 4) and contingent deferred sales charges (see Note 5).

Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2019, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of the above organizations.

4  Distribution Plans

The Fund has in effect a distribution plan for Class A shares (Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund pays EVD a distribution and service fee of 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution services and facilities provided to the Fund by EVD, as well as for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Distribution and service fees paid or accrued to EVD for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $569,710 for Class A shares. The Fund also has in effect distribution plans for Class C shares (Class C Plan) and Class R shares (Class R Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class C Plan, the Fund pays EVD amounts equal to 0.75% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $161,979 for Class C shares. The Class R Plan requires the Fund to pay EVD an amount up to 0.50% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. The Trustees of the Trust have currently limited Class R distribution payments to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $7,229 for Class R shares.

Pursuant to the Class C and Class R Plans, the Fund also makes payments of service fees to EVD, financial intermediaries and other persons in amounts equal to 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to that class. Service fees paid or accrued are for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. They are separate and distinct from the sales commissions and distribution fees payable to EVD. Service fees paid or accrued for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $53,993 and $7,229 for Class C and Class R shares, respectively.

Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2341(d).

5  Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1% generally is imposed on redemptions of Class C shares made within one year of purchase. Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed within 18 months of purchase (depending on the circumstances of purchase). Generally, the CDSC is based upon the lower of the net asset value at date of redemption or date of purchase. No charge is levied on shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund was informed that EVD received approximately $1,000 and $1,000 of CDSCs paid by Class A and Class C shareholders, respectively.

6  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $130,421,426 and $203,318,344, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019. Included in sales are proceeds of $19,229,080 from the sale of securities by the Fund to investment companies advised by EVM or its affiliates that resulted in a net realized gain of $6,282,640.

 

  19  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

7  Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Such shares may be issued in a number of different series (such as the Fund) and classes. Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class A    2019      2018  

Sales

     424,596        576,003  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     683,115        885,772  

Redemptions

     (1,391,551      (1,281,054

Converted from Class C shares

     643,576         

Net increase

     359,736        180,721  
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class C    2019      2018  

Sales

     80,631        200,067  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     74,932        231,293  

Redemptions

     (396,688      (460,150

Converted to Class A shares

     (774,084       

Net decrease

     (1,015,209      (28,790
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class I    2019      2018  

Sales

     528,614        730,159  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     198,209        367,701  

Redemptions

     (1,711,650      (746,214

Net increase (decrease)

     (984,827      351,646  
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class R    2019      2018  

Sales

     15,637        27,438  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     6,027        12,134  

Redemptions

     (70,349      (39,918

Net decrease

     (48,685      (346

8  Line of Credit

The Fund participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in an $800 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 27, 2020. In connection with the renewal of the agreement on October 29, 2019, funds managed by Calvert Research and Management, an affiliate of EVM, were added as participating funds to the agreement and the borrowing limit was increased from $625 million. Borrowings are made by the Fund solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to the Fund based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Eurodollar rate or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. Because

 

  20  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Fund, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Fund did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the year ended December 31, 2019.

9  Securities Lending Agreement

The Fund has established a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (SSBT) as securities lending agent in which the Fund lends portfolio securities to qualified borrowers in exchange for collateral consisting of either cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. Government or its agencies or instrumentalities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of securities loaned is determined daily and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. Cash collateral is invested in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, a money market fund registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund earns interest on the amount invested but it must pay (and at times receive from) the broker a loan rebate fee computed as a varying percentage of the collateral received. For security loans secured by non-cash collateral, the Fund earns a negotiated lending fee from the borrower. A portion of the income earned by the Fund from its investment of cash collateral, net of rebate fees, and lending fees received is allocated to SSBT for its services as lending agent and the portion allocated to the Fund is presented as securities lending income, net on the Statement of Operations. Non-cash collateral is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund and cannot be sold or re-pledged by the Fund; accordingly, such collateral is not reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund is subject to possible delay in the recovery of loaned securities. Pursuant to the securities lending agreement, SSBT has provided indemnification to the Fund in the event of default by a borrower with respect to a loan. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to the investment of cash collateral.

At December 31, 2019, the value of the securities loaned (all common stocks) and the value of the collateral received, which exceeded the value of the securities loaned, amounted to $6,788,458 and $6,915,204, respectively. Collateral received was comprised of U.S. government and/or agencies securities. The securities lending transactions have no contractual maturity date and each of the Fund and borrower has the option to terminate a loan at any time.

10  Investments in Affiliated Funds

At December 31, 2019, the value of the Fund’s investment in affiliated funds was $891,636, which represents 0.3% of the Fund’s net assets. Transactions in affiliated funds by the Fund for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Name of affiliated fund   Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gain (loss)
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
    Value, end
of period
    Dividend
income
    Units, end
of period
 

Short-Term Investments

 

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%

  $ 709,276     $ 47,361,573     $ (47,178,655   $ (622   $ 64     $ 891,636     $ 22,524       891,636  

11  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

  21  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

At December 31, 2019, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

   $ 320,248,820    $      $         —      $ 320,248,820  

Rights

     1,094,048                      1,094,048  

Short-Term Investments

            891,636               891,636  

Total Investments

   $ 321,342,868      $ 891,636      $      $ 322,234,504  

 

*

The level classification by major category of investments is the same as the category presentation in the Portfolio of Investments.

 

  22  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Growth Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Growth Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 21, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  23  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you received in February 2020 showed the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2019. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of capital gains dividends.

Capital Gains Dividends.  The Fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended December 31, 2019, $36,112,201 or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.

 

  24  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization

 

 

Fund Management.  The Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Trustees and officers of the Trust hold indefinite terms of office. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is the Fund’s principal underwriter and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 159 portfolios in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure). Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds. Each Trustee and officer serves until his or her successor is elected.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the
Trust

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Interested Trustee

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

1958

   Trustee      2007     

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 159 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust.

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm).

Noninterested Trustees

Mark R. Fetting

1954

   Trustee      2016     

Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Cynthia E. Frost

1961

   Trustee      2014     

Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

George J. Gorman

1952

   Trustee      2014     

Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) (2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds (9 funds) (2010-2014).

Valerie A. Mosley

1960

   Trustee      2014     

Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Former Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Former Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (since 2013).

William H. Park

1947

   Chairperson of the Board and Trustee     

2016 (Chairperson)

2003 (Trustee)

    

Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

 

  25  


Eaton Vance

Growth Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the
Trust

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Noninterested Trustees (continued)

Helen Frame Peters

1948

   Trustee      2008     

Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Keith Quinton

1958

   Trustee      2018     

Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (since 2017). Advisory Committee member at Northfield Information Services, Inc. (risk management analytics provider) (since 2016). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank (since 2016).

Marcus L. Smith

1966

   Trustee      2018     

Member of Posse Boston Advisory Board (foundation) (since 2015). Trustee at University of Mount Union (since 2008). Formerly, Portfolio Manager at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm) (1994-2017).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018).

Susan J. Sutherland

1957

   Trustee      2015     

Private investor. Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (global provider of customized insurance and reinsurance products) (2013-2015).

Scott E. Wennerholm

1959

   Trustee      2016     

Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

 

Name and Year of Birth    Position(s)
with the
Trust
     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

Payson F. Swaffield

1956

   President of the Trust      2003      Vice President and Chief Income Investment Officer of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”).

Maureen A. Gemma

1960

   Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer      2005      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

James F. Kirchner

1967

   Treasurer      2007      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

Richard F. Froio

1968

   Chief Compliance Officer      2017      Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2017. Formerly Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Adviser/Funds) and Chief Compliance Officer (Distribution) at PIMCO (2012-2017) and Managing Director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors (2009-2012).

 

(1) 

Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise.

(2)

Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise, year of most recent election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election.

The SAI for the Fund includes additional information about the Trustees and officers of the Fund and can be obtained without charge on Eaton Vance’s website at www.eatonvance.com or by calling 1-800-262-1122.

 

  26  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each entity listed below has adopted a privacy policy and procedures (“Privacy Program”) Eaton Vance believes is reasonably designed to protect your personal information and to govern when and with whom Eaton Vance may share your personal information.

 

 

At the time of opening an account, Eaton Vance generally requires you to provide us with certain information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account numbers, and account balances. This information is necessary for us to both open an account for you and to allow us to satisfy legal requirements such as applicable anti-money laundering reviews and know-your-customer requirements.

 

 

On an ongoing basis, in the normal course of servicing your account, Eaton Vance may share your information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various services for Eaton Vance and/or your account. These third parties include transfer agents, custodians, broker/dealers and our professional advisers, including auditors, accountants, and legal counsel. Eaton Vance may additionally share your personal information with our affiliates.

 

 

We believe our Privacy Program is reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access to that information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Program at any time upon proper notification to you. You may want to review our Privacy Program periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of protecting your personal information applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Limited, Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, and Calvert Funds. This Privacy Notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about our Privacy Program or about how your personal information may be used, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-PORT will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

 

  27  


This Page Intentionally Left Blank


Investment Adviser

Boston Management and Research

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Administrator

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 262-1122

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
*

FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


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1559    12.31.19


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Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

Important Note. Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (eatonvance.com/funddocuments), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you are a direct investor, you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up for e-Delivery at eatonvance.com/edelivery. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you are a direct investor, you can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-262-1122. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Eaton Vance funds held directly or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.

 

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Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current summary prospectus or prospectus. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund. This and other important information is contained in the summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial intermediary. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. For further information, please call 1-800-262-1122.


Annual Report December 31, 2019

Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

     2  

Performance

     3  

Fund Profile

     4  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     5  

Fund Expenses

     6  

Financial Statements

     7  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     25  

Federal Tax Information

     26  

Management and Organization

     27  

Important Notices

     30  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance1

 

 

Economic and Market Conditions

With virtually every U.S. equity index posting strong double-digit returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 — and bond markets solidly in the black as well — 2019 was a good year for investments.

As the new year dawned in January 2019, investors appeared to be taking a “glass is half full” approach. Although U.S. manufacturing output and business investment remained weak — held back by slowing global growth and an on-again/off-again U.S.-China trade war — strong spending by U.S. consumers and dovish remarks by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) combined to lift investor sentiment. After four federal funds rate hikes the previous year, markets began to project the Fed might actually lower rates in 2019 to stimulate the economy. U.S. unemployment, meanwhile, remained low and hiring remained strong.

As a result, U.S. stocks across multiple markets climbed from January through April 2019. Overseas, central banks around the world began to cut interest rates and employ other tools to stimulate their respective economies. Even a global stock pullback in May — sparked by heightened concerns about the U.S.-China trade spat — proved to be temporary, and the U.S. and global stock rallies resumed in June and July.

After holding interest rates steady through the first half of the year, the Fed cut the federal funds rate on July 31, 2019 — its first reduction in over a decade — followed by two additional rate cuts in September and October to end the period at 1.50%-1.75%. By end of the third quarter, 60 central banks around the world had lowered their interest rates as well.

After falling in August, U.S. equities rallied again during the final months of the period, spurred by optimism about a U.S.-China trade détente and better-than-expected U.S. employment reports. The year ended with two events in December that did much to allay investor concerns about international trade and tariffs: passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Trump administration’s agreement to a so-called “phase–one” trade deal with China.

During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average®2 returned 25.34%, while the broader U.S. equity market, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, returned 31.49%. The technology-laden Nasdaq Composite Index returned 36.69% during the period. Large-cap U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, generally outperformed their small-cap counterparts, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. As a group, growth stocks outpaced value stocks in both large- and small-cap categories, as measured by the Russell growth and value indexes.

Fund Performance

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund (the Fund) returned 29.79% for Class A shares at net asset value (NAV), outperforming its benchmark, the Russell 1000® Value Index (the Index), which returned 26.54%.

Stock selection in the financials, utilities, and consumer staples sectors contributed to Fund performance versus the Index. Underweighting Warren Buffet’s multinational conglomerate Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., relative to the Index, aided performance versus the Index in financials. While the stock delivered positive performance, it underperformed the broader equity market due to difficulties in its packaged-food holdings, including Kraft Heinz Co., challenges in its insurance businesses, and a weakening environment for its railroad holding, BNSF Railway Co. Elsewhere in financials, the Fund’s overweight positions in select bank stocks — PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. and Bank of America Corp. — helped relative results. After a difficult year in 2018, the banking industry performed generally well in 2019, as recession fears abated and interest rates appeared to stop falling in the final quarter of the year.

In the utilities sector, an overweight position in NextEra Energy, Inc. (NextEra) helped Fund returns relative to the Index. Aided by a focus on renewable energy sources, including wind and solar, NextEra reported steady revenue streams and profit growth during the period. An overweight holding in household and personal care products firm Procter & Gamble Co. aided relative performance in consumer staples. After several years of little to no growth in earnings per share, the company grew earnings in 2019 after bringing in a new CEO, driving down costs, and improving its product portfolio.

In contrast, communication services was the only sector to detract from performance versus the Index during the period, due to stock selection within the sector. Not owning telecom services provider and Index component AT&T, Inc. detracted from relative performance in the sector after an activist investor became involved with the company and its stock price appreciated outpacing its sector peers. Also in communication services, the Fund’s overweight position in broadband and cellular service provider Verizon Communications, Inc. hurt relative results, despite posting a double-digit price gain. The stock underperformed the broader market, held back by stiff pricing competition for wireless services and a slow launch of its much-anticipated 5G rollout.

Significant detractors from relative performance in other sectors included overweight positions in chemical firm DuPont de Nemours, Inc. (DuPont) in the materials sector and luxury fashion firm Tapestry, Inc. (Tapestry) — parent company of Coach, Kate Spade and Stuart Weitzman — in the consumer discretionary sector. Tapestry’s stock price declined as its Kate Spade brand underperformed investor expectations and management offered little visibility into how it planned to improve results. By period-end, the stock was sold from the Fund. Shares of Dupont declined in the second half of 2019 amid uncertainty around trade tensions and headwinds in key end markets, including automobiles and electronics.

 

 

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Performance2,3

 

Portfolio Managers Edward J. Perkin, CFA, Aaron S. Dunn, CFA and Bradley T. Galko, CFA

 

% Average Annual Total Returns   

Class

Inception Date

    

Performance

Inception Date

     One Year      Five Years      Ten Years  

Class A at NAV

     09/23/1931        09/23/1931        29.79      8.51      10.14

Class A with 5.75% Maximum Sales Charge

                   22.30        7.24        9.49  

Class C at NAV

     11/04/1994        09/23/1931        28.82        7.70        9.32  

Class C with 1% Maximum Sales Charge

                   27.82        7.70        9.32  

Class I at NAV

     12/28/2004        09/23/1931        30.11        8.78        10.42  

Class R at NAV

     02/18/2004        09/23/1931        29.48        8.24        9.86  

Class R6 at NAV

     07/01/2014        09/23/1931        30.17        8.86        10.46  

Russell 1000® Value Index

                   26.54      8.28      11.79
              
% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios4    Class A      Class C      Class I      Class R      Class R6  
     1.06      1.81      0.81      1.31      0.72

Growth of $10,000

 

This graph shows the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A of the Fund for the period indicated. For comparison, the same investment is shown in the indicated index.

 

 

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Growth of Investment3    Amount Invested      Period Beginning      At NAV      With Maximum Sales Charge  

Class C

   $ 10,000        12/31/2009      $ 24,381        N.A.  

Class I

   $ 250,000        12/31/2009      $ 673,745        N.A.  

Class R

   $ 10,000        12/31/2009      $ 25,624        N.A.  

Class R6

   $ 1,000,000        12/31/2009      $ 2,706,651        N.A.  

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Profile

 

 

Sector Allocation (% of net assets)5

 

 

 

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Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)5

 

 

Verizon Communications, Inc.

     4.2

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B

     3.9  

Bank of America Corp.

     3.4  

Walt Disney Co. (The)

     3.3  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

     2.7  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

     2.7  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

     2.4  

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

     2.4  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

     2.2  

Johnson & Johnson

     2.2  

Total

     29.4
 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as “forward looking statements.” The Fund’s actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2 

Dow Jones Industrial Average® is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally the leaders in their industry. S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index of large-cap stocks commonly used as a measure of U.S. stock market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices are a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P DJI”) and have been licensed for use. S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of S&P DJI; Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); S&P DJI, Dow Jones and their respective affiliates do not sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the Fund, will not have any liability with respect thereto and do not have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P Dow Jones Indices. Nasdaq Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of all domestic and international securities listed on Nasdaq. Source: Nasdaq, Inc. The information is provided by Nasdaq (with its affiliates, are referred to as the “Corporations”) and Nasdaq’s third party licensors on an “as is” basis and the Corporations make no guarantees and bear no liability of any kind with respect to the information or the Fund. Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of 2,000 U.S. small-cap stocks. Russell 1000® Value Index is an unmanaged index of U.S. large-cap value stocks. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

3 

Total Returns at NAV do not include applicable sales charges. If sales charges were deducted, the returns would be lower. Total Returns shown with maximum sales charge reflect the stated maximum sales charge. Unless otherwise stated, performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

  

Performance prior to the inception date of a class may be linked to the performance of an older class of the Fund. This linked performance is adjusted for any applicable sales charge, but is not adjusted for class expense differences. If adjusted for such differences, the performance would be different. The performance of Class R6 is linked to Class I. Performance presented in the Financial Highlights included in the financial statements is not linked.

 

4

Source: Fund prospectus. The expense ratios for the current reporting period can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.

 

5 

Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

 

  

Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

Important Notice to Shareholders

  

Effective February 3, 2020, the Fund is managed by Edward J. Perkin, Aaron S. Dunn and Bradley T. Galko.

 

 

  5  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Expenses

 

 

Example:  As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and redemption fees (if applicable); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of Fund investing and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019).

Actual Expenses:  The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:  The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual Fund expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year (before expenses), which is not the actual Fund return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees (if applicable). Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would be higher.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(7/1/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(12/31/19)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(7/1/19 – 12/31/19)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Actual

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,089.00      $ 5.48        1.04

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,085.20      $ 9.41        1.79

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,090.50      $ 4.16        0.79

Class R

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,087.80      $ 6.79        1.29

Class R6

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,090.80      $ 3.79        0.72
         

Hypothetical

          

(5% return per year before expenses)

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.00      $ 5.30        1.04

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,016.20      $ 9.10        1.79

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.20      $ 4.02        0.79

Class R

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.70      $ 6.56        1.29

Class R6

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,021.60      $ 3.67        0.72

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on June 30, 2019.

 

  6  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

Common Stocks — 99.8%

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Aerospace & Defense — 3.3%  

Boeing Co. (The)

    26,419     $ 8,606,254  

Hexcel Corp.

    223,513       16,385,738  

Huntington Ingalls Industries, Inc.

    74,307       18,642,140  

Textron, Inc.

    308,747       13,770,116  
            $ 57,404,248  
Banks — 8.7%  

Bank of America Corp.

    1,652,445     $ 58,199,113  

KeyCorp

    963,444       19,500,107  

PNC Financial Services Group, Inc. (The)

    258,945       41,335,390  

Sterling Bancorp

    555,618       11,712,427  

U.S. Bancorp

    309,079       18,325,294  
            $ 149,072,331  
Beverages — 2.7%  

Constellation Brands, Inc., Class A

    113,187     $ 21,477,233  

PepsiCo, Inc.

    183,356       25,059,265  
            $ 46,536,498  
Biotechnology — 1.2%  

Gilead Sciences, Inc.

    330,932     $ 21,503,961  
            $ 21,503,961  
Building Products — 0.6%  

A.O. Smith Corp.

    232,045     $ 11,054,624  
            $ 11,054,624  
Capital Markets — 4.5%  

Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (The)

    127,457     $ 29,306,188  

Northern Trust Corp.

    178,031       18,914,014  

Raymond James Financial, Inc.

    319,266       28,561,536  
            $ 76,781,738  
Chemicals — 1.2%  

DuPont de Nemours, Inc.

    314,924     $ 20,218,121  
            $ 20,218,121  
Communications Equipment — 0.5%  

Cisco Systems, Inc.

    194,054     $ 9,306,830  
            $ 9,306,830  
Security   Shares     Value  
Consumer Finance — 1.2%  

American Express Co.

    159,935     $ 19,910,308  
            $ 19,910,308  
Containers & Packaging — 1.0%  

Packaging Corp. of America

    148,822     $ 16,666,576  
            $ 16,666,576  
Diversified Financial Services — 3.9%  

Berkshire Hathaway, Inc., Class B(1)

    294,197     $ 66,635,620  
            $ 66,635,620  
Diversified Telecommunication Services — 4.2%  

Verizon Communications, Inc.

    1,188,064     $ 72,947,130  
            $ 72,947,130  
Electric Utilities — 4.4%  

Edison International

    440,373     $ 33,208,528  

NextEra Energy, Inc.

    172,772       41,838,467  
            $ 75,046,995  
Electrical Equipment — 1.6%  

Eaton Corp. PLC

    290,865     $ 27,550,733  
            $ 27,550,733  
Energy Equipment & Services — 1.0%  

Schlumberger, Ltd.

    419,103     $ 16,847,941  
            $ 16,847,941  
Entertainment — 3.3%  

Walt Disney Co. (The)

    388,085     $ 56,128,734  
            $ 56,128,734  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 5.0%  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    138,379     $ 29,018,076  

Cousins Properties, Inc.

    436,655       17,990,186  

CubeSmart

    820,675       25,834,849  

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

    98,065       12,930,851  
            $ 85,773,962  
Food Products — 2.2%  

Mondelez International, Inc., Class A

    694,944     $ 38,277,515  
            $ 38,277,515  
 

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 4.6%  

Abbott Laboratories

    304,691     $ 26,465,460  

Baxter International, Inc.

    260,211       21,758,844  

Medtronic PLC

    276,316       31,348,050  
            $ 79,572,354  
Health Care Providers & Services — 1.0%  

Anthem, Inc.

    57,640     $ 17,409,009  
            $ 17,409,009  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 0.8%  

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

    95,368     $ 14,441,576  
            $ 14,441,576  
Household Durables — 1.0%  

D.R. Horton, Inc.

    322,730     $ 17,024,007  
            $ 17,024,007  
Household Products — 2.7%  

Procter & Gamble Co. (The)

    378,097     $ 47,224,315  
            $ 47,224,315  
Insurance — 4.4%  

Allstate Corp. (The)

    201,466     $ 22,654,852  

American International Group, Inc.

    560,099       28,749,882  

Progressive Corp. (The)

    348,283       25,212,206  
            $ 76,616,940  
IT Services — 3.6%  

Cognizant Technology Solutions Corp., Class A

    508,586     $ 31,542,504  

Fidelity National Information Services, Inc.

    225,236       31,328,075  
            $ 62,870,579  
Machinery — 3.8%  

Gardner Denver Holdings, Inc.(1)

    642,532     $ 23,568,074  

Parker-Hannifin Corp.

    101,088       20,805,932  

Stanley Black & Decker, Inc.

    126,357       20,942,409  
            $ 65,316,415  
Media — 0.8%  

Fox Corp., Class A

    390,609     $ 14,479,876  
            $ 14,479,876  
Security   Shares     Value  
Metals & Mining — 1.5%  

Steel Dynamics, Inc.

    745,192     $ 25,366,336  
            $ 25,366,336  
Multi-Utilities — 2.6%  

CMS Energy Corp.

    368,867     $ 23,179,602  

Sempra Energy

    142,308       21,556,816  
            $ 44,736,418  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 7.4%  

ConocoPhillips

    477,545     $ 31,054,751  

EOG Resources, Inc.

    231,277       19,371,762  

Exxon Mobil Corp.

    655,898       45,768,563  

Phillips 66

    201,454       22,443,990  

Pioneer Natural Resources Co.

    61,598       9,324,089  
            $ 127,963,155  
Pharmaceuticals — 8.3%  

Bristol-Myers Squibb Co.

    522,792     $ 33,558,018  

GlaxoSmithKline PLC ADR

    563,516       26,479,617  

Johnson & Johnson

    257,114       37,505,219  

Merck & Co., Inc.

    212,550       19,331,423  

Sanofi

    263,367       26,449,271  
            $ 143,323,548  
Semiconductors & Semiconductor Equipment — 1.0%  

NXP Semiconductors NV

    67,610     $ 8,604,049  

QUALCOMM, Inc.

    90,480       7,983,050  
            $ 16,587,099  
Specialty Retail — 4.2%  

Best Buy Co., Inc.

    253,104     $ 22,222,531  

Lowe’s Cos., Inc.

    185,022       22,158,235  

TJX Cos., Inc. (The)

    301,165       18,389,135  

Tractor Supply Co.

    98,809       9,232,713  
            $ 72,002,614  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.5%  

Ralph Lauren Corp., Class A

    80,400     $ 9,424,488  
            $ 9,424,488  
 

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Tobacco — 1.1%  

Altria Group, Inc.

    373,241     $ 18,628,458  
            $ 18,628,458  

Total Common Stocks
(identified cost $1,427,708,075)

 

  $ 1,720,651,052  
Short-Term Investments — 0.2%

 

Description   Units     Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC,
1.78%(2)

    2,748,856     $ 2,748,856  

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $2,748,651)

 

  $ 2,748,856  

Total Investments — 100.0%
(identified cost $1,430,456,726)

 

  $ 1,723,399,908  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.0%(3)

 

  $ 394,708  

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 1,723,794,616  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

(1) 

Non-income producing security.

 

(2) 

Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2019.

 

(3) 

Amount is less than 0.05%.

Abbreviations:

 

ADR     American Depositary Receipt
 

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $1,427,708,075)

   $ 1,720,651,052  

Affiliated investment fund, at value (identified cost, $2,748,651)

     2,748,856  

Dividends receivable

     3,791,814  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investment

     4,218  

Receivable for investments sold

     7,797,649  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     1,042,342  

Tax reclaims receivable

     1,015,351  

Total assets

   $ 1,737,051,282  
Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

   $ 11,347,163  

Payable to affiliates:

 

Investment adviser fee

     911,797  

Distribution and service fees

     223,994  

Trustees’ fees

     21,425  

Accrued expenses

     752,287  

Total liabilities

   $ 13,256,666  

Net Assets

   $ 1,723,794,616  
Sources of Net Assets

 

Paid-in capital

   $ 1,426,050,009  

Distributable earnings

     297,744,607  

Total

   $ 1,723,794,616  

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities — continued

 

 

Class A Shares    December 31, 2019  

Net Assets

   $ 711,972,374  

Shares Outstanding

     33,935,725  

Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per Share

 

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 20.98  

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

 

(100 ÷ 94.25 of net asset value per share)

   $ 22.26  
Class C Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 56,343,805  

Shares Outstanding

     2,676,892  

Net Asset Value and Offering Price Per Share*

 

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 21.05  
Class I Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 819,291,959  

Shares Outstanding

     38,883,738  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

 

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 21.07  
Class R Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 59,472,920  

Shares Outstanding

     2,842,927  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

 

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 20.92  
Class R6 Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 76,713,558  

Shares Outstanding

     3,638,476  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

 

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 21.08  

On sales of $50,000 or more, the offering price of Class A shares is reduced.

 

*

Redemption price per share is equal to the net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Dividends (net of foreign taxes, $65,222)

   $ 39,877,533  

Dividends from affiliated investment

     132,953  

Securities lending income, net

     10,773  

Total investment income

   $ 40,021,259  
Expenses

 

Investment adviser fee

   $ 10,551,262  

Distribution and service fees

 

Class A

     1,706,342  

Class C

     767,626  

Class R

     311,806  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     87,928  

Custodian fee

     353,105  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     1,425,587  

Legal and accounting services

     94,261  

Printing and postage

     152,409  

Registration fees

     79,009  

ReFlow liquidity program fees

     514,983  

Miscellaneous

     81,263  

Total expenses

   $ 16,125,581  

Net investment income

   $ 23,895,678  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

Net realized gain (loss) —

 

Investment transactions

   $ 113,476,678 (1) 

Investment transactions — affiliated investment

     2,068  

Foreign currency transactions

     (220,395

Net realized gain

   $ 113,258,351  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

 

Investments

   $ 300,051,802  

Investments — affiliated investment

     (158

Foreign currency

     186,310  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 300,237,954  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 413,496,305  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 437,391,983  

 

(1)  

Includes $83,682,794 of net realized gains from redemptions in-kind.

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 23,895,678      $ 26,674,732  

Net realized gain

     113,258,351 (1)       220,083,081 (2) 

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     300,237,954        (356,298,881

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 437,391,983      $ (109,541,068

Distributions to shareholders —

 

Class A

   $ (14,362,572    $ (57,881,635

Class C

     (642,775      (16,506,261

Class I

     (18,425,036      (77,304,463

Class R

     (1,096,140      (6,120,235

Class R6

     (1,845,970      (9,922,733

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (36,372,493    $ (167,735,327

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

 

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

Class A

   $ 51,422,891      $ 62,416,237  

Class C

     3,902,820        8,855,103  

Class I

     349,749,276        530,560,658  

Class R

     5,479,685        9,564,235  

Class R6

     17,341,875        140,837,725  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

 

Class A

     12,956,260        51,912,348  

Class C

     496,741        14,842,384  

Class I

     15,088,154        63,075,579  

Class R

     1,043,410        5,696,271  

Class R6

     1,845,970        9,922,733  

Cost of shares redeemed

 

Class A

     (164,929,105      (209,351,072

Class C

     (35,204,466      (66,338,072

Class I

     (467,430,748      (762,027,970

Class R

     (23,017,996      (30,384,832

Class R6

     (34,851,423      (151,555,385

Net asset value of shares converted

 

Class A

     104,995,531         

Class C

     (104,995,531       

Net decrease in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ (266,106,656    $ (321,974,058

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ 134,912,834      $ (599,250,453
Net Assets

 

At beginning of year

   $ 1,588,881,782      $ 2,188,132,235  

At end of year

   $ 1,723,794,616      $ 1,588,881,782  

 

(1)  

Includes $83,682,794 of net realized gains from redemptions in-kind.

 

(2) 

Includes $76,505,274 of net realized gains from redemptions in-kind.

 

  13   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Class A  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 16.500      $ 19.520     $ 18.030      $ 16.690     $ 18.740  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.256      $ 0.254     $ 0.246      $ 0.279     $ 0.246  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     4.638        (1.470     2.393        1.301       (0.456

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 4.894      $ (1.216   $ 2.639      $ 1.580     $ (0.210
Less Distributions

 

From net investment income

   $ (0.248    $ (0.240   $ (0.240    $ (0.240   $ (0.260

From net realized gain

     (0.166      (1.564     (0.909            (1.580

Total distributions

   $ (0.414    $ (1.804   $ (1.149    $ (0.240   $ (1.840

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 20.980      $ 16.500     $ 19.520      $ 18.030     $ 16.690  

Total Return(2)

     29.79      (6.83 )%      14.80      9.56     (1.08 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 711,972      $ 549,515     $ 741,193      $ 942,192     $ 1,127,754  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

 

Expenses(3)

     1.04      1.06 %(4)      1.06 %(4)       1.06 %(4)      1.05 %(4) 

Net investment income

     1.33      1.30 %(4)      1.31 %(4)       1.67 %(4)      1.33 %(4) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio(5)

            34 %(6)      105      94     98

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     62      48 %(6)(7)                    

 

(1)  

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(4) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(5) 

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(6) 

Not annualized.

 

(7) 

For the period from June 18, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Large-Cap Value Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to the close of business on June 15, 2018 and which had the same investment objective and policies as the Fund during such period.

 

  14   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class C  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 16.520      $ 19.540     $ 18.040      $ 16.700     $ 18.750  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.103      $ 0.107     $ 0.107      $ 0.154     $ 0.107  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     4.655        (1.473     2.394        1.298       (0.453

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 4.758      $ (1.366   $ 2.501      $ 1.452     $ (0.346
Less Distributions

 

From net investment income

   $ (0.062    $ (0.090   $ (0.092    $ (0.112   $ (0.124

From net realized gain

     (0.166      (1.564     (0.909            (1.580

Total distributions

   $ (0.228    $ (1.654   $ (1.001    $ (0.112   $ (1.704

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 21.050      $ 16.520     $ 19.540      $ 18.040     $ 16.700  

Total Return(2)

     28.82      (7.53 )%      13.96      8.74     (1.82 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 56,344      $ 168,783     $ 241,192      $ 300,456     $ 345,531  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

 

Expenses(3)

     1.80      1.81 %(4)      1.81 %(4)       1.81 %(4)      1.80 %(4) 

Net investment income

     0.54      0.55 %(4)      0.57 %(4)       0.92 %(4)      0.58 %(4) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio(5)

            34 %(6)      105      94     98

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     62      48 %(6)(7)                    

 

(1)  

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(4) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(5) 

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(6) 

Not annualized.

 

(7) 

For the period from June 18, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Large-Cap Value Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to the close of business on June 15, 2018 and which had the same investment objective and policies as the Fund during such period.

 

  15   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class I  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 16.570      $ 19.590     $ 18.090      $ 16.750     $ 18.800  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.305      $ 0.306     $ 0.296      $ 0.323     $ 0.293  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     4.658        (1.472     2.401        1.300       (0.458

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 4.963      $ (1.166   $ 2.697      $ 1.623     $ (0.165
Less Distributions

 

From net investment income

   $ (0.297    $ (0.290   $ (0.288    $ (0.283   $ (0.305

From net realized gain

     (0.166      (1.564     (0.909            (1.580

Total distributions

   $ (0.463    $ (1.854   $ (1.197    $ (0.283   $ (1.885

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 21.070      $ 16.570     $ 19.590      $ 18.090     $ 16.750  

Total Return(2)

     30.11      (6.57 )%      15.10      9.80     (0.83 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 819,292      $ 736,581     $ 1,032,300      $ 1,555,075     $ 1,664,998  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

 

Expenses(3)

     0.79      0.81 %(4)      0.81 %(4)       0.81 %(4)      0.80 %(4) 

Net investment income

     1.58      1.56 %(4)      1.57 %(4)       1.92 %(4)      1.58 %(4) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio(5)

            34 %(6)      105      94     98

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     62      48 %(6)(7)                    

 

(1)  

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(3) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(4) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(5) 

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(6) 

Not annualized.

 

(7) 

For the period from June 18, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Large-Cap Value Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to the close of business on June 15, 2018 and which had the same investment objective and policies as the Fund during such period.

 

  16   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class R  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 16.450      $ 19.460     $ 17.980      $ 16.650     $ 18.690  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.206      $ 0.204     $ 0.199      $ 0.237     $ 0.199  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     4.626        (1.460     2.382        1.292       (0.445

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 4.832      $ (1.256   $ 2.581      $ 1.529     $ (0.246
Less Distributions

 

From net investment income

   $ (0.196    $ (0.190   $ (0.192    $ (0.199   $ (0.214

From net realized gain

     (0.166      (1.564     (0.909            (1.580

Total distributions

   $ (0.362    $ (1.754   $ (1.101    $ (0.199   $ (1.794

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 20.920      $ 16.450     $ 19.460      $ 17.980     $ 16.650  

Total Return(2)

     29.48      (7.04 )%      14.50      9.26     (1.33 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 59,473      $ 60,984     $ 86,706      $ 101,010     $ 109,468  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

 

Expenses(3)

     1.30      1.31 %(4)      1.31 %(4)       1.31 %(4)      1.30 %(4) 

Net investment income

     1.08      1.05 %(4)      1.06 %(4)       1.42 %(4)      1.08 %(4) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio(5)

            34 %(6)      105      94     98

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     62      48 %(6)(7)                    

 

(1)  

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(3) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(4) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(5) 

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(6) 

Not annualized.

 

(7) 

For the period from June 18, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Large-Cap Value Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to the close of business on June 15, 2018 and which had the same investment objective and policies as the Fund during such period.

 

  17   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class R6  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 16.580      $ 19.610     $ 18.100      $ 16.760     $ 18.810  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.320      $ 0.310     $ 0.311      $ 0.339     $ 0.321  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     4.656        (1.470     2.413        1.301       (0.469

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 4.976      $ (1.160   $ 2.724      $ 1.640     $ (0.148
Less Distributions

 

From net investment income

   $ (0.310    $ (0.306   $ (0.305    $ (0.300   $ (0.322

From net realized gain

     (0.166      (1.564     (0.909            (1.580

Total distributions

   $ (0.476    $ (1.870   $ (1.214    $ (0.300   $ (1.902

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 21.080      $ 16.580     $ 19.610      $ 18.100     $ 16.760  

Total Return(2)

     30.17      (6.54 )%      15.25      9.90     (0.79 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 76,714      $ 73,019     $ 86,742      $ 38,485     $ 32,525  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

 

Expenses(3)

     0.72      0.72 %(4)      0.73 %(4)       0.71 %(4)      0.71 %(4) 

Net investment income

     1.66      1.57 %(4)      1.64 %(4)       2.01 %(4)      1.73 %(4) 

Portfolio Turnover of the Portfolio(5)

            34 %(6)      105      94     98

Portfolio Turnover of the Fund

     62      48 %(6)(7)                    

 

(1)  

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(3) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

(4) 

Includes the Fund’s share of the Portfolio’s allocated expenses for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(5) 

Portfolio turnover represents the rate of portfolio activity for the period while the Fund was investing in the Portfolio.

 

(6) 

Not annualized.

 

(7) 

For the period from June 18, 2018 through December 31, 2018 when the Fund was making investments directly in securities.

References to Portfolio herein are to Large-Cap Value Portfolio, a Massachusetts business trust in which the Fund invested all of its investable assets prior to the close of business on June 15, 2018 and which had the same investment objective and policies as the Fund during such period.

 

  18   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund (the Fund) is a diversified series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek total return. The Fund offers five classes of shares. Class A shares are generally sold subject to a sales charge imposed at time of purchase. Class C shares are sold at net asset value and are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (see Note 5). Effective January 25, 2019, Class C shares generally automatically convert to Class A shares ten years after their purchase as described in the Fund’s prospectus. Class I, Class R and Class R6 shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge.

Each class represents a pro-rata interest in the Fund, but votes separately on class-specific matters and (as noted below) is subject to different expenses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income and losses, other than class-specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Sub-accounting, recordkeeping and similar administrative fees payable to financial intermediaries, which are a component of transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations, are not allocated to Class R6 shares. Each class of shares differs in its distribution plan and certain other class-specific expenses.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and ask prices on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and ask prices.

Foreign Securities and Currencies. Foreign securities and currencies are valued in U.S. dollars, based on foreign currency exchange rate quotations supplied by a third party pricing service. The pricing service uses a proprietary model to determine the exchange rate. Inputs to the model include reported trades and implied bid/ask spreads. The daily valuation of exchange-traded foreign securities generally is determined as of the close of trading on the principal exchange on which such securities trade. Events occurring after the close of trading on foreign exchanges may result in adjustments to the valuation of foreign securities to more accurately reflect their fair value as of the close of regular trading on the New York Stock Exchange. When valuing foreign equity securities that meet certain criteria, the Fund’s Trustees have approved the use of a fair value service that values such securities to reflect market trading that occurs after the close of the applicable foreign markets of comparable securities or other instruments that have a strong correlation to the fair-valued securities.

Affiliated Fund. The Fund may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit

on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a third party pricing service.

Other. Investments in registered investment companies (including money market funds) that do not trade on an exchange are valued at the net asset value per share on the valuation day.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Fund in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. However, if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates. In consideration of recent decisions rendered by European courts, the Fund has filed additional tax reclaims for previously withheld taxes on dividends earned in certain European Union countries. These filings are subject to various administrative and judicial proceedings within these countries. Due to the uncertainty as to the ultimate resolution of these proceedings, the likelihood of receipt of these reclaims, and the potential timing of payment, no amounts are reflected in the Fund’s financial statements for such outstanding reclaims. Distributions from investment companies are recorded as dividend income, capital gains or return of capital based on the nature of the distribution.

 

  19  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

D  Federal Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

E  Expenses — The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

F  Foreign Currency Translation — Investment valuations, other assets, and liabilities initially expressed in foreign currencies are translated each business day into U.S. dollars based upon current exchange rates. Purchases and sales of foreign investment securities and income and expenses denominated in foreign currencies are translated into U.S. dollars based upon currency exchange rates in effect on the respective dates of such transactions. Recognized gains or losses on investment transactions attributable to changes in foreign currency exchange rates are recorded for financial statement purposes as net realized gains and losses on investments. That portion of unrealized gains and losses on investments that results from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates is not separately disclosed.

G  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

H  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

It is the present policy of the Fund to make quarterly distributions of all or substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are declared separately for each class of shares. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund at the net asset value as of the ex-dividend date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018  

Ordinary income

   $ 22,820,364      $ 24,689,422  

Long-term capital gains

   $ 13,552,129      $ 143,045,905  

During the year ended December 31, 2019, distributable earnings was decreased by $86,914,908 and paid-in capital was increased by $86,914,908 due to the Fund’s use of equalization accounting and differences between book and tax accounting, primarily for redemptions in-kind. Tax equalization accounting allows the Fund to treat as a distribution that portion of redemption proceeds representing a redeeming shareholder’s portion of undistributed taxable income and net capital gains. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.

 

  20  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

As of December 31, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 3,140,054  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

   $ 8,304,912  

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 286,299,641  

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Fund at December 31, 2019, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 1,437,101,520  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 305,173,514  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (18,875,126

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 286,298,388  

3  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of EVM, as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.625% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to $2 billion, 0.60% on net assets of $2 billion but less than $5 billion and at reduced rates on daily net assets of $5 billion and over, and is payable monthly. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the investment adviser fee amounted to $10,551,262 or 0.625% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Fund invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund.

EVM serves as the administrator of the Fund, but receives no compensation. EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2019, EVM earned $114,944 from the Fund pursuant to such agreement, which is included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations. The Fund was informed that Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM and the Fund’s principal underwriter, received $16,981 as its portion of the sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the year ended December 31, 2019. EVD also received distribution and service fees from Class A, Class C and Class R shares (see Note 4) and contingent deferred sales charges (see Note 5).

Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2019, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of the above organizations.

4  Distribution Plans

The Fund has in effect a distribution plan for Class A shares (Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund pays EVD a distribution and service fee of 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution services and facilities provided to the Fund by EVD, as well as for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Distribution and service fees paid or accrued to EVD for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $1,706,342 for Class A shares.

The Fund also has in effect distribution plans for Class C shares (Class C Plan) and Class R shares (Class R Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class C Plan, the Fund pays EVD amounts equal to 0.75% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $575,719 for Class C shares.

The Class R Plan requires the Fund to pay EVD an amount up to 0.50% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. The Trustees of the Trust have currently limited Class R distribution payments to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $155,903 for Class R shares.

Pursuant to the Class C and Class R Plans, the Fund also makes payments of service fees to EVD, financial intermediaries and other persons in amounts equal to 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to that class. Service fees paid or accrued are for personal services and/or the

 

  21  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

maintenance of shareholder accounts. They are separate and distinct from the sales commissions and distribution fees payable to EVD. Service fees paid or accrued for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $191,907 and $155,903 for Class C and Class R shares, respectively.

Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2341(d).

5  Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1% generally is imposed on redemptions of Class C shares made within one year of purchase. Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed within 18 months of purchase (depending on the circumstances of purchase). Generally, the CDSC is based upon the lower of the net asset value at date of redemption or date of purchase. No charge is levied on shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund was informed that EVD received less than $100 and approximately $5,000 of CDSCs paid by Class A and Class C shareholders, respectively.

6  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations and in-kind transactions, aggregated $1,035,298,904 and $1,037,505,360, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019. In-kind sales for the year ended December 31, 2019 aggregated $273,735,639.

7  Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Such shares may be issued in a number of different series (such as the Fund) and classes. Sales and redemptions of Class I shares include shares purchased and redeemed in connection with the ReFlow liquidity program, a program designed to provide an alternative liquidity source for mutual funds experiencing net redemptions of their shares. Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class A    2019      2018  

Sales

     2,680,967        3,229,434  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     647,324        2,895,017  

Redemptions

     (8,586,649      (10,802,967

Converted from Class C shares

     5,898,076         

Net increase (decrease)

     639,718        (4,678,516
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class C    2019      2018  

Sales

     202,727        467,859  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     24,074        831,675  

Redemptions

     (1,873,072      (3,430,078

Converted to Class A shares

     (5,892,167       

Net decrease

     (7,538,438      (2,130,544
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class I    2019      2018  

Sales

     18,216,329        27,452,103  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     752,462        3,500,040  

Redemptions

     (24,528,454      (39,195,998

Net decrease

     (5,559,663      (8,243,855

 

  22  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class R    2019      2018  

Sales

     285,086        494,807  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     52,192        319,168  

Redemptions

     (1,200,474      (1,562,335

Net decrease

     (863,196      (748,360
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class R6    2019      2018  

Sales

     906,307        7,126,880  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     92,425        535,679  

Redemptions

     (1,763,659      (7,683,357

Net decrease

     (764,927      (20,798

8  Line of Credit

The Fund participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in an $800 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 27, 2020. In connection with the renewal of the agreement on October 29, 2019, funds managed by Calvert Research and Management, an affiliate of EVM, were added as participating funds to the agreement and the borrowing limit was increased from $625 million. Borrowings are made by the Fund solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to the Fund based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Eurodollar rate or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Fund, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Fund did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the year ended December 31, 2019.

9  Investments in Affiliated Funds

At December 31, 2019, the value of the Fund’s investment in affiliated funds was $2,748,856, which represents 0.2% of the Fund’s net assets. Transactions in affiliated funds by the Fund for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Name of affiliated fund   Value,
beginning
of period
    Purchases    

Sales

proceeds

    Net
realized
gain (loss)
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
    Value, end
of period
    Dividend
income
    Units, end
of period
 

Short-Term Investments

 

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%

  $ 6,566,966     $ 285,854,763     $ 289,674,783     $ 2,068     $ (158   $ 2,748,856     $ 132,953       2,748,856  

10  Securities Lending Agreement

The Fund has established a securities lending agreement with State Street Bank and Trust Company (SSBT) as securities lending agent in which the Fund lends portfolio securities to qualified borrowers in exchange for collateral consisting of either cash or securities issued or guaranteed by the U.S. government or its agencies or instrumentalities in an amount at least equal to the market value of the securities on loan. The market value of securities loaned is determined daily and any additional required collateral is delivered to the Fund on the next business day. Cash collateral is invested in the State Street Navigator Securities Lending Government Money Market Portfolio, a money market fund registered under the 1940 Act. The Fund earns interest on the amount invested but it must pay (and at times receive from) the broker a loan rebate fee computed as a varying percentage of the collateral received. For security loans secured by non-cash collateral, the Fund earns a negotiated lending fee from the borrower. A portion of the income earned by the Fund from its investment of cash collateral, net of rebate fees, and lending fees received is allocated to SSBT for its services as lending agent and the portion

 

  23  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

allocated to the Fund is presented as securities lending income, net on the Statement of Operations. Non-cash collateral is held by the lending agent on behalf of the Fund and cannot be sold or re-pledged by the Fund; accordingly, such collateral is not reflected in the Statement of Assets and Liabilities.

The Fund is subject to possible delay in the recovery of loaned securities. Pursuant to the securities lending agreement, SSBT has provided indemnification to the Fund in the event of default by a borrower with respect to a loan. The Fund bears the risk of loss with respect to the investment of cash collateral. At December 31, 2019, the Fund had no securities on loan.

11  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At December 31, 2019, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

           

Communication Services

   $ 143,555,740      $      $         —      $ 143,555,740  

Consumer Discretionary

     112,892,685                      112,892,685  

Consumer Staples

     150,666,786                      150,666,786  

Energy

     144,811,096                      144,811,096  

Financials

     389,016,937                      389,016,937  

Health Care

     235,359,601        26,449,271               261,808,872  

Industrials

     161,326,020                      161,326,020  

Information Technology

     88,764,508                      88,764,508  

Materials

     62,251,033                      62,251,033  

Real Estate

     85,773,962                      85,773,962  

Utilities

     119,783,413                      119,783,413  

Total Common Stocks

   $ 1,694,201,781      $ 26,449,271    $      $ 1,720,651,052  

Short-Term Investments

   $      $ 2,748,856      $      $ 2,748,856  

Total Investments

   $ 1,694,201,781      $ 29,198,127      $      $ 1,723,399,908  

 

*

Includes foreign equity securities whose values were adjusted to reflect market trading of comparable securities or other correlated instruments that occurred after the close of trading in their applicable foreign markets.

 

  24  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 21, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  25  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you received in February 2020 showed the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2019. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals, the dividends received deduction for corporations and capital gains dividends.

Qualified Dividend Income.  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund designates approximately $36,177,366, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate of 15%.

Dividends Received Deduction.  Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Fund’s fiscal 2019 ordinary income dividends, 100% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

Capital Gains Dividends.  The Fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended December 31, 2019, $24,587,383 or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.

 

  26  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization

 

 

Fund Management.  The Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Trustees and officers of the Trust hold indefinite terms of office. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is the Fund’s principal underwriter and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 159 portfolios in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure). Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds. Each Trustee and officer serves until his or her successor is elected.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Trust

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Interested Trustee                   

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

1958

   Trustee      2007     

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 159 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust.

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm).

Noninterested Trustees              

Mark R. Fetting

1954

   Trustee      2016     

Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Cynthia E. Frost

1961

   Trustee      2014     

Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

George J. Gorman

1952

   Trustee      2014     

Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) (2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds (9 funds) (2010-2014).

Valerie A. Mosley

1960

   Trustee      2014     

Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Former Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Former Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (since 2013).

 

  27  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Trust

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Noninterested Trustees (continued)              

William H. Park

1947

   Chairperson of the Board and Trustee     

2016 (Chairperson)

2003 (Trustee)

    

Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Helen Frame Peters

1948

   Trustee      2008     

Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Keith Quinton

1958

   Trustee      2018     

Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (since 2017). Advisory Committee member at Northfield Information Services, Inc. (risk management analytics provider) (since 2016). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank (since 2016).

Marcus L. Smith

1966

   Trustee      2018     

Member of Posse Boston Advisory Board (foundation) (since 2015). Trustee at University of Mount Union (since 2008). Formerly, Portfolio Manager at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm) (1994-2017).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018).

Susan J. Sutherland

1957

   Trustee      2015     

Private investor. Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (global provider of customized insurance and reinsurance products) (2013-2015).

Scott E. Wennerholm

1959

   Trustee      2016     

Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Trust

     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

Payson F. Swaffield

1956

   President of the Trust      2003      Vice President and Chief Income Investment Officer of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”).

Maureen A. Gemma

1960

   Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer      2005      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

 

  28  


Eaton Vance

Large-Cap Value Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Trust

     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees (continued)

James F. Kirchner

1967

   Treasurer      2007      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

Richard F. Froio

1968

   Chief Compliance Officer      2017      Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2017. Formerly Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Adviser/Funds) and Chief Compliance Officer (Distribution) at PIMCO (2012-2017) and Managing Director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors (2009-2012).

 

(1) 

Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise.

(2)

Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise, year of most recent election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election.

The SAI for the Fund includes additional information about the Trustees and officers of the Fund and can be obtained without charge on Eaton Vance’s website at www.eatonvance.com or by calling 1-800-262-1122.

 

  29  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each entity listed below has adopted a privacy policy and procedures (“Privacy Program”) Eaton Vance believes is reasonably designed to protect your personal information and to govern when and with whom Eaton Vance may share your personal information.

 

 

At the time of opening an account, Eaton Vance generally requires you to provide us with certain information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account numbers, and account balances. This information is necessary for us to both open an account for you and to allow us to satisfy legal requirements such as applicable anti-money laundering reviews and know-your-customer requirements.

 

 

On an ongoing basis, in the normal course of servicing your account, Eaton Vance may share your information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various services for Eaton Vance and/or your account. These third parties include transfer agents, custodians, broker/dealers and our professional advisers, including auditors, accountants, and legal counsel. Eaton Vance may additionally share your personal information with our affiliates.

 

 

We believe our Privacy Program is reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access to that information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Program at any time upon proper notification to you. You may want to review our Privacy Program periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of protecting your personal information applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Limited, Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, and Calvert Funds. This Privacy Notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about our Privacy Program or about how your personal information may be used, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-PORT will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

  30  


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This Page Intentionally Left Blank


Investment Adviser

Boston Management and Research

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Administrator

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 262-1122

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
*

FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


 

LOGO

 

LOGO

173    12.31.19


LOGO

 

 

Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

Important Note. Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (eatonvance.com/funddocuments), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you are a direct investor, you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up for e-Delivery at eatonvance.com/edelivery. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you are a direct investor, you can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-262-1122. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Eaton Vance funds held directly or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.

 

LOGO


 

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current summary prospectus or prospectus. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund. This and other important information is contained in the summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial intermediary. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. For further information, please call 1-800-262-1122.


Annual Report December 31, 2019

Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

     2  

Performance

     3  

Fund Profile

     4  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     5  

Fund Expenses

     6  

Financial Statements

     7  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     19  

Federal Tax Information

     20  

Management and Organization

     21  

Important Notices

     24  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance1

 

 

 

Economic and Market Conditions

With virtually every U.S. equity index posting strong double-digit returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 — and bond markets solidly in the black as well — 2019 was a good year for investments.

As the new year dawned in January 2019, investors appeared to be taking a “glass is half full” approach. Although U.S. manufacturing output and business investment remained weak — held back by slowing global growth and an on-again/off-again U.S.-China trade war — strong spending by U.S. consumers and dovish remarks by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) combined to lift investor sentiment. After four federal funds rate hikes the previous year, markets began to project the Fed might actually lower rates in 2019 to stimulate the economy. U.S. unemployment, meanwhile, remained low and hiring remained strong.

As a result, U.S. stocks across multiple markets climbed from January through April 2019. Overseas, central banks around the world began to cut interest rates and employ other tools to stimulate their respective economies. Even a global stock pullback in May — sparked by heightened concerns about the U.S.-China trade spat — proved to be temporary, and the U.S. and global stock rallies resumed in June and July.

After holding interest rates steady through the first half of the year, the Fed cut the federal funds rate on July 31,

2019 — its first reduction in over a decade — followed by two additional rate cuts in September and October to end the period at 1.50%-1.75%. By end of the third quarter, 60 central banks around the world had lowered their interest rates as well.

After falling in August, U.S. equities rallied again during the final months of the period, spurred by optimism about a U.S.-China trade détente and better-than-expected U.S. employment reports. The year ended with two events in December that did much to allay investor concerns about international trade and tariffs: passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Trump administration’s agreement to a so-called “phase–one” trade deal with China.

During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average®2 returned 25.34%, while the broader U.S. equity market, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, returned 31.49%. The technology-laden Nasdaq Composite Index returned 36.69% during the period. Large-cap U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, generally outperformed their small-cap counterparts, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. As a group, growth stocks outpaced value stocks in both large- and small-cap categories, as measured by the Russell growth and value indexes.

Fund Performance

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund (the Fund) returned 23.99% for Class A shares at net asset value (NAV), outperforming its primary benchmark, the Dow Jones U.S. Select Real Estate Securities Index (the Index), which returned 23.10%.

The Fund outperformed the Index due to stock selection, as well as sector and industry allocations. All 10 property-type groups in the Fund had positive absolute returns during the period. The Index had positive returns in all eight of its industry groups.

Although slightly lagging the broader stock market, real estate investment trusts (REITs), which represented a majority of the Fund’s holdings during the period, delivered very strong results. REITs benefited from declining long-term interest rates during the period, as income-seeking investors were attracted by the higher payouts offered by REITs. REITs also benefited from favorable supply-demand balance across most markets and property types.

The hotels, resorts & cruise lines group, an out-of-Index holding, made the largest contribution to relative Fund performance versus the Index during the period. Leading hotel management and franchise companies Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc. and Marriott International, Inc. both outperformed amid strong growth in room counts for both companies and a favorable long-term outlook for the global lodging industry.    

Another sector, the hotel & resort REIT property group also contributed to relative Fund results versus the Index due to an underweight position in this lagging sector. In particular, the Fund’s lack of exposure to Host Hotels & Resorts, Inc. benefited Fund results, as the stock performed poorly during the period.

The Fund’s underweight position in the health care sector boosted Fund performance relative to the Index. The sector delivered weak results largely due to excess supply in the senior living housing market. Within the group, the Fund’s underweight position in Ventas, Inc., a REIT focused on senior housing, medical office buildings, and other health care-related real estate, aided relative Fund results versus the Index.

Conversely, the industrial property-type group detracted from relative Fund performance due to a modest underweight in the outperforming sector versus the Index. In particular, an underweight in warehouse REIT ProLogis, Inc. constrained relative Fund results, as it outperformed the Index during the period.

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Performance2,3

 

Portfolio Manager J. Scott Craig

 

% Average Annual Total Returns   

Class

Inception Date

    

Performance

Inception Date

     One Year      Five Years      Ten Years  

Class A at NAV

     06/09/2010        04/28/2006        23.99      6.53      11.31

Class A with 5.75% Maximum Sales Charge

                   16.84        5.27        10.65  

Class I at NAV

     04/28/2006        04/28/2006        24.39        6.81        11.57  

Dow Jones U.S. Select Real Estate Securities Index

                   23.10      6.39      11.54

S&P 500® Index

                   31.49        11.69        13.55  
              
% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios4                            Class A      Class I  

Gross

              1.41      1.16

Net

              1.25        1.00  

Growth of $10,0003

 

This graph shows the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A of the Fund for the period indicated. For comparison, the same investment is shown in the indicated index.

 

 

LOGO

 

Growth of Investment    Amount Invested      Period Beginning      At NAV     With Maximum Sales Charge  

Class I

   $ 250,000        12/31/2009      $ 747,547       N.A.  

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Profile

 

 

Sector Allocation (% of net assets)5

 

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)5

 

 

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

     6.5

Simon Property Group, Inc.

     6.4  

Equity Residential

     5.8  

ProLogis, Inc.

     5.3  

Public Storage

     4.5  

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

     4.2  

Boston Properties, Inc.

     3.8  

Invitation Homes, Inc.

     3.5  

Cousins Properties, Inc.

     2.7  

CubeSmart

     2.6  

Total

     45.3
 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as “forward looking statements.” The Fund’s actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2 

Dow Jones Industrial Average® is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally the leaders in their industry. S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index of large-cap stocks commonly used as a measure of U.S. stock market performance. Dow Jones U.S. Select Real Estate Securities Index is an unmanaged index of publicly traded real estate securities. S&P Dow Jones Indices are a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P DJI”) and have been licensed for use. S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of S&P DJI; Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); S&P DJI, Dow Jones and their respective affiliates do not sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the Fund, will not have any liability with respect thereto and do not have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P Dow Jones Indices. Nasdaq Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of all domestic and international securities listed on Nasdaq. Source: Nasdaq, Inc. The information is provided by Nasdaq (with its affiliates, are referred to as the “Corporations”) and Nasdaq’s third party licensors on an “as is” basis and the Corporations make no guarantees and bear no liability of any kind with respect to the information or the Fund. Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of 2,000 U.S. small-cap stocks. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

3 

Total Returns at NAV do not include applicable sales charges. If sales charges were deducted, the returns would be lower. Total Returns shown with maximum sales charge reflect the stated maximum sales charge. Unless otherwise stated, performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

  

Performance prior to the inception date of a class may be linked to the performance of an older class of the Fund. This linked performance is adjusted for any applicable sales charge, but is not adjusted for class expense differences. If adjusted for such differences, the performance would be different. The performance of Class A is linked to Class I. Performance presented in the Financial Highlights included in the financial statements is not linked.

 

4

Source: Fund prospectus. Net expense ratios reflect a contractual expense reimbursement that continues through 4/30/20. Without the reimbursement, performance would have been lower. The expense ratios for the current reporting period can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.

 

5 

Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

 

  

Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

 

 

  5  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Expenses

 

 

Example:  As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and redemption fees (if applicable); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of Fund investing and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019).

Actual Expenses:  The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:  The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual Fund expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year (before expenses), which is not the actual Fund return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees (if applicable). Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would be higher.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(7/1/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(12/31/19)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(7/1/19 – 12/31/19)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Actual

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,050.80      $ 6.51 **       1.26

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,052.10      $ 5.22 **       1.01
         

Hypothetical

          

(5% return per year before expenses)

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,018.90      $ 6.41 **       1.26

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.10      $ 5.14 **       1.01

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on June 30, 2019.

 

**

Absent an allocation of certain expenses to an affiliate, expenses would be higher.

 

  6  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

Common Stocks — 98.8%

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 3.4%  

Hilton Worldwide Holdings, Inc.

    6,472     $ 717,810  

Marriott International, Inc., Class A

    4,624       700,212  
            $ 1,418,022  
Real Estate Investment Trusts — 95.4%

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Diversified, Specialty & Other — 9.7%  

CoreSite Realty Corp.

    7,927     $ 888,775  

Digital Realty Trust, Inc.

    4,132       494,765  

Equinix, Inc.

    937       546,927  

National Retail Properties, Inc.

    9,677       518,881  

PS Business Parks, Inc.

    2,310       380,850  

STORE Capital Corp.

    14,075       524,153  

Vornado Realty Trust

    9,236       614,194  
            $ 3,968,545  
Health Care — 7.4%  

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

    15,994     $ 533,720  

Healthpeak Properties, Inc.

    19,643       677,094  

Ventas, Inc.

    16,151       932,559  

Welltower, Inc.

    10,844       886,822  
            $ 3,030,195  
Hotels & Resorts — 5.4%  

Apple Hospitality REIT, Inc.

    29,600     $ 481,000  

DiamondRock Hospitality Co.

    37,910       420,043  

Summit Hotel Properties, Inc.

    40,209       496,179  

Sunstone Hotel Investors, Inc.

    59,850       833,112  
            $ 2,230,334  
Industrial — 12.0%  

Duke Realty Corp.

    23,331     $ 808,886  

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

    3,959       525,240  

First Industrial Realty Trust, Inc.

    18,055       749,463  

ProLogis, Inc.

    24,548       2,188,209  

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

    9,245       422,219  

Terreno Realty Corp.

    4,465       241,735  
            $ 4,935,752  
Malls and Factory Outlets — 6.4%  

Simon Property Group, Inc.

    17,715     $ 2,638,827  
            $ 2,638,827  
Security   Shares     Value  
Multifamily — 25.9%  

American Campus Communities, Inc.

    9,252     $ 435,122  

American Homes 4 Rent, Class A

    25,742       674,698  

AvalonBay Communities, Inc.

    12,746       2,672,836  

Camden Property Trust

    8,082       857,500  

Equity Residential

    29,373       2,376,863  

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

    1,497       450,387  

Invitation Homes, Inc.

    47,900       1,435,563  

Mid-America Apartment Communities, Inc.

    12,973       1,710,620  
            $ 10,613,589  
Office — 12.9%  

Boston Properties, Inc.

    11,448     $ 1,578,221  

Corporate Office Properties Trust

    8,440       247,967  

Cousins Properties, Inc.

    26,975       1,111,370  

Douglas Emmett, Inc.

    9,332       409,675  

Highwoods Properties, Inc.

    20,614       1,008,231  

Hudson Pacific Properties, Inc.

    15,969       601,233  

JBG Smith Properties

    7,970       317,923  
            $ 5,274,620  
Self Storage — 8.8%  

CubeSmart

    33,922     $ 1,067,865  

Extra Space Storage, Inc.

    6,761       714,097  

Public Storage

    8,597       1,830,817  
            $ 3,612,779  
Strip Centers — 6.9%  

Acadia Realty Trust

    13,674     $ 354,567  

Brixmor Property Group, Inc.

    14,331       309,693  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    5,958       766,974  

Kimco Realty Corp.

    17,454       361,472  

Regency Centers Corp.

    12,480       787,363  

SITE Centers Corp.

    17,500       245,350  
            $ 2,825,419  

Total Real Estate Investment Trusts

 

  $ 39,130,060  

Total Common Stocks
(identified cost $28,103,008)

 

  $ 40,548,082  
 

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Exchange-Traded Funds — 0.7%    
Security   Shares     Value  

iShares U.S. Real Estate ETF

    2,938     $ 273,469  

Total Exchange-Traded Funds
(identified cost $251,118)

 

  $ 273,469  
Short-Term Investments — 0.2%    
Description   Units     Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%(1)

    80,949     $ 80,949  

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $80,945)

 

  $ 80,949  

Total Investments — 99.7%
(identified cost $28,435,071)

 

  $ 40,902,500  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.3%

 

  $ 123,024  

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 41,025,524  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

(1) 

Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2019.

 

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $28,354,126)

   $ 40,821,551  

Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $80,945)

     80,949  

Dividends receivable

     194,422  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investment

     226  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     36,729  

Receivable from affiliate

     12,494  

Total assets

   $ 41,146,371  
Liabilities

 

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

   $ 18,969  

Payable to affiliates:

  

Investment adviser fee

     22,408  

Administration fee

     5,171  

Distribution and service fees

     2,114  

Trustees’ fees

     735  

Accrued expenses

     71,450  

Total liabilities

   $ 120,847  

Net Assets

   $ 41,025,524  
Sources of Net Assets

 

Paid-in capital

   $ 29,035,001  

Distributable earnings

     11,990,523  

Total

   $ 41,025,524  
Class A Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 9,862,409  

Shares Outstanding

     641,489  

Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 15.37  

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

  

(100 ÷ 94.25 of net asset value per share)

   $ 16.31  
Class I Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 31,163,115  

Shares Outstanding

     2,027,455  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 15.37  

On sales of $50,000 or more, the offering price of Class A shares is reduced.

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Dividends

   $ 1,346,057  

Dividends from affiliated investment

     4,295  

Total investment income

   $ 1,350,352  
Expenses

 

Investment adviser fee

   $ 305,708  

Administration fee

     70,548  

Distribution and service fees

  

Class A

     25,145  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     3,226  

Custodian fee

     27,893  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     47,464  

Legal and accounting services

     46,288  

Printing and postage

     17,766  

Registration fees

     27,186  

Interest expense

     6,288  

Miscellaneous

     12,275  

Total expenses

   $ 589,787  

Deduct —

  

Allocation of expenses to affiliate

   $ 88,034  

Total expense reductions

   $ 88,034  

Net expenses

   $ 501,753  

Net investment income

   $ 848,599  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)

 

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 1,336,965  

Investment transactions — affiliated investment

     12  

Capital gain distributions received

     380,221  

Net realized gain

   $ 1,717,198  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 7,561,990  

Investments — affiliated investment

     4  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 7,561,994  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 9,279,192  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 10,127,791  

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

     

Net investment income

   $ 848,599      $ 1,097,794  

Net realized gain

     1,717,198        85,216  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     7,561,994        (2,929,899

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 10,127,791      $ (1,746,889

Distributions to shareholders —

     

Class A

   $ (417,371    $ (261,715

Class I

     (1,473,075      (1,368,966

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (1,890,446    $ (1,630,681

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

     

Proceeds from sale of shares

     

Class A

   $ 1,451,704      $ 1,877,008  

Class I

     7,485,217        26,287,130  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

     

Class A

     417,271        261,497  

Class I

     1,463,391        1,315,399  

Cost of shares redeemed

     

Class A

     (2,859,584      (3,919,114

Class I

     (29,218,017      (16,502,409

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ (21,260,018    $ 9,319,511  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ (13,022,673    $ 5,941,941  
Net Assets

 

At beginning of year

   $ 54,048,197      $ 48,106,256  

At end of year

   $ 41,025,524      $ 54,048,197  

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Class A  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 12.930      $ 13.930      $ 13.700      $ 13.790     $ 14.030  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

                         

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.249      $ 0.237      $ 0.199      $ 0.158     $ 0.192  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     2.839        (0.870      0.333        0.518       0.660  

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 3.088      $ (0.633    $ 0.532      $ 0.676     $ 0.852  
Less Distributions

 

                         

From net investment income

   $ (0.249    $ (0.246    $ (0.212    $ (0.226   $ (0.227

From net realized gain

     (0.399      (0.121      (0.090      (0.540     (0.865

Total distributions

   $ (0.648    $ (0.367    $ (0.302    $ (0.766   $ (1.092

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 15.370      $ 12.930      $ 13.930      $ 13.700     $ 13.790  

Total Return(2)(3)

     23.99      (4.61 )%       3.93      4.94     6.40
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

                         

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 9,862      $ 9,169      $ 11,766      $ 21,078     $ 21,880  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

             

Expenses(3)

     1.26 %(4)       1.25      1.25      1.25     1.25

Net investment income

     1.64      1.76      1.45      1.13     1.38

Portfolio Turnover

     18      35      36      52     72

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.19%, 0.16%, 0.17%, 0.23% and 0.30% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Includes interest expense of 0.01% for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class I  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 12.920      $ 13.930      $ 13.700      $ 13.800     $ 14.030  
Income (Loss) From Operations

 

                         

Net investment income(1)

   $ 0.280      $ 0.286      $ 0.271      $ 0.200     $ 0.192  

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     2.856        (0.894      0.301        0.501       0.703  

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 3.136      $ (0.608    $ 0.572      $ 0.701     $ 0.895  
Less Distributions

 

                         

From net investment income

   $ (0.287    $ (0.281    $ (0.252    $ (0.261   $ (0.260

From net realized gain

     (0.399      (0.121      (0.090      (0.540     (0.865

Total distributions

   $ (0.686    $ (0.402    $ (0.342    $ (0.801   $ (1.125

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 15.370      $ 12.920      $ 13.930      $ 13.700     $ 13.800  

Total Return(2)(3)

     24.39      (4.43 )%       4.23      5.12     6.73
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

                         

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 31,163      $ 44,879      $ 36,340      $ 25,930     $ 17,044  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

             

Expenses(3)

     1.01 %(4)       1.00      1.00      1.00     1.00

Net investment income

     1.85      2.12      1.97      1.43     1.37

Portfolio Turnover

     18      35      36      52     72

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.19%, 0.16%, 0.17%, 0.23% and 0.30% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018, 2017, 2016 and 2015, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Includes interest expense of 0.01% for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

  13   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund (the Fund) is a non-diversified series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek total return. The Fund offers two classes of shares. Class A shares are generally sold subject to a sales charge imposed at time of purchase. Class I shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge. Each class represents a pro-rata interest in the Fund, but votes separately on class-specific matters and (as noted below) is subject to different expenses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income and losses, other than class-specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class of shares differs in its distribution plan and certain other class-specific expenses.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A   Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and ask prices on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and ask prices.

Affiliated Fund. The Fund may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a third party pricing service.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Fund in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. Dividends from real estate investment trusts (REITs) and distributions from investment companies are recorded as income, capital gains or return of capital based on the nature of the distribution.

D  Federal Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

E  Expenses — The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

F  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

G  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally

 

  14  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

It is the present policy of the Fund to make at least quarterly distributions of substantially all of the distributions it receives from its REIT investments, less expenses, as well as income from other investments. Such distributions may be comprised of income, return of capital, and capital gains. The Fund may also realize capital gains on the sale of its REIT shares and other investments. Distributions of these gains, if any, will be made annually. In addition, the Fund may occasionally be required to make supplemental distributions at some other time during the year. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are declared separately for each class of shares. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund at the net asset value as of the ex-dividend date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018  

Ordinary income

   $ 850,326      $ 1,322,533  

Long-term capital gains

   $ 1,040,120      $ 308,148  

During the year ended December 31, 2019, distributable earnings was decreased by $227,799 and paid-in capital was increased by $227,799 due to the Fund’s use of equalization accounting and differences between book and tax accounting. Tax equalization accounting allows the Fund to treat as a distribution that portion of redemption proceeds representing a redeeming shareholder’s portion of undistributed taxable income and net capital gains. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.

As of December 31, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   

Undistributed long-term capital gains

   $ 94,622  

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 11,895,901  

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Fund at December 31, 2019, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 29,006,599  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 11,951,299  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (55,398

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 11,895,901  

3  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by EVM as compensation for management and investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.65% of the Fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund’s investment adviser fee amounted to $305,708. The Fund invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund. The administration fee is earned by EVM for administering the business affairs of the Fund and is computed at an annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the administration fee amounted to $70,548. EVM has agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent that total annual operating expenses (relating to ordinary operating expenses only and excluding expenses such as brokerage commissions, acquired fund fees and expenses of unaffiliated funds, borrowing costs, taxes or litigation expenses)

 

  15  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

exceed 1.25% and 1.00% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class A and Class I, respectively. This agreement may be changed or terminated after April 30, 2020. Pursuant to this agreement, EVM was allocated $88,034 of the Fund’s operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019.

EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2019, EVM earned $4,273 from the Fund pursuant to such agreement, which is included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations. The Fund was informed that Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM and the Fund’s principal underwriter, received $1,387 as its portion of the sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the year ended December 31, 2019. EVD also received distribution and service fees from Class A (see Note 4).

Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVM’s organization receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2019, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of EVM.

4  Distribution Plan

The Fund has in effect a distribution plan for Class A shares (Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund pays EVD a distribution and service fee of 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution services and facilities provided to the Fund by EVD, as well as for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Distribution and service fees paid or accrued to EVD for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $25,145 for Class A shares.

Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2341(d).

5  Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

Class A shares may be subject to a 1% contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) if redeemed within 18 months of purchase (depending on the circumstances of purchase). Generally, the CDSC is based upon the lower of the net asset value at date of redemption or date of purchase. No charge is levied on shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund was informed that EVD received no CDSCs paid by Class A shareholders.

6  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $8,556,871 and $30,319,968, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019.

7  Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Such shares may be issued in a number of different series (such as the Fund) and classes. Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class A    2019      2018  

Sales

     94,334        138,910  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     27,415        19,567  

Redemptions

     (189,489      (293,811

Net decrease

     (67,740      (135,334

 

  16  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class I    2019      2018  

Sales

     496,679        1,998,237  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     96,149        98,358  

Redemptions

     (2,037,689      (1,233,071

Net increase (decrease)

     (1,444,861      863,524  

8  Line of Credit

The Fund participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in an $800 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 27, 2020. In connection with the renewal of the agreement on October 29, 2019, funds managed by Calvert Research and Management, an affiliate of EVM, were added as participating funds to the agreement and the borrowing limit was increased from $625 million. Borrowings are made by the Fund solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to the Fund based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Eurodollar rate or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Fund, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. Average borrowings and the average interest rate (excluding fees) for the year ended December 31, 2019 were $188,493 and 3.34%, respectively.

9  Concentration of Risk

In accordance with the Fund’s strategy, under normal market conditions, the Fund’s investments are concentrated in equity securities of companies primarily engaged in the real estate industry, such as REITs and other real estate-related investments. Securities of companies in the real estate industry are subject to special risks including changes in real estate values, property taxes, interest rates, cash flow of underlying real estate assets, occupancy rates, government regulations affecting zoning, land use and rents, and the management skill and creditworthiness of the issuer.

10  Investments in Affiliated Funds

At December 31, 2019, the value of the Fund’s investment in affiliated funds was $80,949, which represents 0.2% of the Fund’s net assets. Transactions in affiliated funds by the Fund for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Name of affiliated fund   Value,
beginning
of period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gain (loss)
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
    Value,
end of
period
    Dividend
income
    Units,
end of
period
 

Short-Term Investments

               

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%

  $ 130,262     $ 7,783,420     $ (7,832,749   $ 12     $ 4     $ 80,949     $ 4,295       80,949  

11  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

 

  17  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

At December 31, 2019, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

   $ 40,548,082    $      $         —      $ 40,548,082  

Exchange-Traded Funds

     273,469                      273,469  

Short-Term Investments

            80,949               80,949  

Total Investments

   $ 40,821,551      $ 80,949      $      $ 40,902,500  

 

*

The level classification by major category of investments is the same as the category presentation in the Portfolio of Investments.

 

  18  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  19  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you received in March 2020 showed the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2019. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified business income, qualified dividend income for individuals, the dividends received deduction for corporations and capital gains dividends.

Qualified Business Income.  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund designates $752,563, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified business income.

Qualified Dividend Income.  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund designates approximately $42,600, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate of 15%.

Dividends Received Deduction.  Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Fund’s fiscal 2019 ordinary income dividends, 1.89% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

Capital Gains Dividends.  The Fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended December 31, 2019, $1,363,831 or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.

 

  20  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization

 

 

Fund Management.  The Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Trustees and officers of the Trust hold indefinite terms of office. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is the Fund’s principal underwriter and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 159 portfolios in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure). Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds. Each Trustee and officer serves until his or her successor is elected.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the
Trust

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Interested Trustee

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

1958

   Trustee      2007     

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 159 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust.

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm).

Noninterested Trustees

Mark R. Fetting

1954

   Trustee      2016     

Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None

Cynthia E. Frost

1961

   Trustee      2014     

Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

George J. Gorman

1952

   Trustee      2014     

Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) (2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds (9 funds) (2010-2014).

Valerie A. Mosley

1960

   Trustee      2014     

Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Former Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Former Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (since 2013).

 

  21  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the
Trust

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Noninterested Trustees (continued)

William H. Park

1947

   Chairperson of the Board and Trustee     

2016 (Chairperson)

2003 (Trustee)

    

Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Helen Frame Peters

1948

   Trustee      2008     

Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Keith Quinton

1958

   Trustee      2018     

Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (since 2017). Advisory Committee member at Northfield Information Services, Inc. (risk management analytics provider) (since 2016). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank (since 2016).

Marcus L. Smith

1966

   Trustee      2018     

Member of Posse Boston Advisory Board (foundation) (since 2015). Trustee at University of Mount Union (since 2008). Formerly, Portfolio Manager at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm) (1994-2017).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018).

Susan J. Sutherland

1957

   Trustee      2015     

Private investor. Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (global provider of customized insurance and reinsurance products) (2013-2015).

Scott E. Wennerholm

1959

   Trustee      2016     

Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

 

Name and Year of Birth    Position(s)
with the
Trust
     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

Payson F. Swaffield

1956

   President      2003      Vice President and Chief Income Investment Officer of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”).

Maureen A. Gemma

1960

   Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer      2005      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

 

  22  


Eaton Vance

Real Estate Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth    Position(s)
with the
Trust
     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees (continued)

James F. Kirchner

1967

   Treasurer      2007      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

Richard F. Froio

1968

   Chief Compliance Officer      2017      Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2017. Formerly Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Adviser/Funds) and Chief Compliance Officer (Distribution) at PIMCO (2012-2017) and Managing Director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors (2009-2012).

 

(1) 

Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise.

(2) 

Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise, year of most recent election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election.

The SAI for the Fund includes additional information about the Trustees and officers of the Fund and can be obtained without charge on Eaton Vance’s website at www.eatonvance.com or by calling 1-800-262-1122.

 

  23  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each entity listed below has adopted a privacy policy and procedures (“Privacy Program”) Eaton Vance believes is reasonably designed to protect your personal information and to govern when and with whom Eaton Vance may share your personal information.

 

 

At the time of opening an account, Eaton Vance generally requires you to provide us with certain information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account numbers, and account balances. This information is necessary for us to both open an account for you and to allow us to satisfy legal requirements such as applicable anti-money laundering reviews and know-your-customer requirements.

 

 

On an ongoing basis, in the normal course of servicing your account, Eaton Vance may share your information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various services for Eaton Vance and/or your account. These third parties include transfer agents, custodians, broker/dealers and our professional advisers, including auditors, accountants, and legal counsel. Eaton Vance may additionally share your personal information with our affiliates.

 

 

We believe our Privacy Program is reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access to that information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Program at any time upon proper notification to you. You may want to review our Privacy Program periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of protecting your personal information applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Limited, Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, and Calvert Funds. This Privacy Notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about our Privacy Program or about how your personal information may be used, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-PORT will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

  24  


Investment Adviser and Administrator

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 262-1122

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
*

FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


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2685    12.31.19


LOGO

 

 

Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

Important Note. Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (eatonvance.com/funddocuments), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you are a direct investor, you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up for e-Delivery at eatonvance.com/edelivery. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you are a direct investor, you can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-262-1122. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Eaton Vance funds held directly or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.

 

LOGO


 

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current summary prospectus or prospectus. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund. This and other important information is contained in the summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial intermediary. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. For further information, please call 1-800-262-1122.


Annual Report December 31, 2019

Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

     2  

Performance

     3  

Fund Profile

     4  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     5  

Fund Expenses

     6  

Financial Statements

     7  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     22  

Federal Tax Information

     23  

Management and Organization

     24  

Important Notices

     26  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance1

 

 

Economic and Market Conditions

With virtually every U.S. equity index posting strong double-digit returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 — and bond markets solidly in the black as well — 2019 was a good year for investments.

As the new year dawned in January 2019, investors appeared to be taking a “glass is half full” approach. Although U.S. manufacturing output and business investment remained weak — held back by slowing global growth and an on-again/off-again U.S.-China trade war — strong spending by U.S. consumers and dovish remarks by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) combined to lift investor sentiment. After four federal funds rate hikes the previous year, markets began to project the Fed might actually lower rates in 2019 to stimulate the economy. U.S. unemployment, meanwhile, remained low and hiring remained strong.

As a result, U.S. stocks across multiple markets climbed from January through April 2019. Overseas, central banks around the world began to cut interest rates and employ other tools to stimulate their respective economies. Even a global stock pullback in May — sparked by heightened concerns about the U.S.-China trade spat — proved to be temporary, and the U.S. and global stock rallies resumed in June and July.

After holding interest rates steady through the first half of the year, the Fed cut the federal funds rate on July 31, 2019 — its first reduction in over a decade — followed by two additional rate cuts in September and October to end the period at 1.50%-1.75%. By end of the third quarter, 60 central banks around the world had lowered their interest rates as well.

After falling in August, U.S. equities rallied again during the final months of the period, spurred by optimism about a U.S.-China trade détente and better-than-expected U.S. employment reports. The year ended with two events in December that did much to allay investor concerns about international trade and tariffs: passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Trump administration’s agreement to a so-called “phase–one” trade deal with China.

During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average®2 returned 25.34%, while the broader U.S. equity market, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, returned 31.49%. The technology-laden Nasdaq Composite Index returned 36.69% during the period. Large-cap U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, generally outperformed their small-cap counterparts, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. As a group, growth stocks outpaced value stocks in both large- and small-cap categories, as measured by the Russell growth and value indexes.

Fund Performance

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund returned 27.54% for Class A shares at net asset value (NAV), outperforming its benchmark, the Russell 2000® Index (the Index), which returned 25.52%.

The Fund outperformed the Index due to sector and industry allocations along with favorable stock selections. Of the Index’s 11 market sectors, the Fund had positive absolute returns in nine sectors. The Index itself had positive returns in 10 sectors.

The financials sector contributed most to relative Fund performance versus the Index, largely due to stock selection. Among the Fund’s top-performing individual stocks within this sector was asset manager Cohen & Steers, Inc., which specializes in real estate investment trusts (REITs). The company beat earnings forecasts behind strong investor demand for REITs, as investors pursued investments offering higher levels of income in the declining interest rate environment. Specialty insurer Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (Kinsale) was also among the Fund’s leading stocks amid rapid growth and market-share gains. By period-end, Kinsale was sold from the Fund.

The industrials sector contributed to returns relative to the Index due to stock selections and an overweight position in this outperforming sector. Within the industrials sector, the Fund’s holdings in the machinery industry also contributed to returns during the period. Diversified machinery firm Woodward, Inc. was one of the Fund’s leading individual stocks after reporting solid growth in its aerospace business during the period.

The Fund’s underweight position in the lagging energy sector aided relative Fund performance versus the Index during the period. The top-performing individual stock in the Fund was contract pharmaceuticals manufacturer Catalent, Inc. In addition to exceeding earnings expectations, the company made two large acquisitions during the period.

Conversely, the consumer discretionary sector detracted from relative Fund performance versus the Index due to stock selection. In the lagging diversified consumer services industry, online education provider Grand Canyon Education, Inc. was one of the Fund’s poorest-performing individual stocks as it dealt with regulatory issues. Auto components manufacturer Dorman Products, Inc. was also among the Fund’s weakest stocks after a disappointing earnings report amid weak demand. The Fund’s lack of exposure to the outperforming household durables sector was a drag on Fund results relative to the Index during the period.

Stock selection in the materials sector also detracted from Fund results relative to the Index during the period. In the chemicals industry, lubricants company Valvoline, Inc. was one of the Fund’s poorest-performing stocks as it faced a more competitive retail environment. The utilities sector also detracted from relative Fund performance versus the Index, dragged down by stock selection in the electric utilities industry. Overall, the Fund’s weakest individual stock was medical equipment company ICU Medical, Inc., which reported disappointing earnings amid growing competition during the period.

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Performance2,3

 

Portfolio Managers Michael D. McLean, CFA and J. Griffith Noble, CFA

 

% Average Annual Total Returns   

Class

Inception Date

    

Performance

Inception Date

     One Year      Five Years      Ten Years  

Class A at NAV

     01/02/1997        01/02/1997        27.54      9.87      11.44

Class A with 5.75% Maximum Sales Charge

                   20.18        8.58        10.79  

Class C at NAV

     05/03/2002        01/02/1997        26.54        9.04        10.60  

Class C with 1% Maximum Sales Charge

                   25.54        9.04        10.60  

Class I at NAV

    
09/02/2008
 
    
01/02/1997
 
    
27.81
 
    
10.14
 
    
11.71
 

Class R at NAV

     08/03/2009        01/02/1997        27.18        9.59        11.16  

Russell 2000® Index

                   25.52      8.22      11.82
              

% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios4

          

Class A

    

Class C

    

Class I

    

Class R

 

Gross

        1.52      2.27      1.27      1.77

Net

        1.21        1.96        0.96        1.46  

Growth of $10,000

 

This graph shows the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A of the Fund for the period indicated. For comparison, the same investment is shown in the indicated index.

 

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Growth of Investment    Amount Invested      Period Beginning      At NAV     With Maximum Sales Charge  

Class C

   $ 10,000        12/31/2009      $ 27,410       N.A.  

Class I

   $ 250,000        12/31/2009      $ 757,068       N.A.  

Class R

   $ 10,000        12/31/2009      $ 28,818       N.A.  

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Profile

 

 

Sector Allocation (% of net assets)5

 

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)5

 

 

ACI Worldwide, Inc.

     3.3

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

     2.6  

RealPage, Inc.

     2.5  

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Class A

     2.3  

Hexcel Corp.

     2.2  

Amedisys, Inc.

     2.1  

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

     2.0  

Woodward, Inc.

     2.0  

ICU Medical, Inc.

     1.9  

NewMarket Corp.

     1.8  

Total

     22.7  
 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as “forward looking statements.” The Fund’s actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2 

Dow Jones Industrial Average® is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally the leaders in their industry. S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index of large- cap stocks commonly used as a measure of U.S. stock market performance. S&P Dow Jones Indices are a product of S&P Dow Jones Indices LLC (“S&P DJI”) and have been licensed for use. S&P® and S&P 500® are registered trademarks of S&P DJI; Dow Jones® is a registered trademark of Dow Jones Trademark Holdings LLC (“Dow Jones”); S&P DJI, Dow Jones and their respective affiliates do not sponsor, endorse, sell or promote the Fund, will not have any liability with respect thereto and do not have any liability for any errors, omissions, or interruptions of the S&P Dow Jones Indices. Nasdaq Composite Index is a market capitalization- weighted index of all domestic and international securities listed on Nasdaq. Source: Nasdaq, Inc. The information is provided by Nasdaq (with its affiliates, are referred to as the “Corporations”) and Nasdaq’s third party licensors on an “as is” basis and the Corporations make no guarantees and bear no liability of any kind with respect to the information or the Fund. Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of 2,000 U.S. small-cap stocks. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

3 

Total Returns at NAV do not include applicable sales charges. If sales charges were deducted, the returns would be lower. Total Returns shown with maximum sales charge reflect the stated maximum sales charge. Unless otherwise stated, performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

4 

Source: Fund prospectus. Net expense ratios reflect a contractual expense reimbursement that continues through 4/30/20. Without the reimbursement, performance would have been lower. The expense ratios for the current reporting period can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.

 

5 

Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

 

  

Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

 

 

  5  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Expenses

 

 

Example:  As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and redemption fees (if applicable); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of Fund investing and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019).

Actual Expenses:  The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:  The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual Fund expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year (before expenses), which is not the actual Fund return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees (if applicable). Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would be higher.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(7/1/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(12/31/19)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(7/1/19 – 12/31/19)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Actual

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,037.10      $ 6.21 **       1.21

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,032.80      $ 10.04 **       1.96

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,038.60      $ 4.93 **       0.96

Class R

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,035.80      $ 7.49 **       1.46
         

Hypothetical

          

(5% return per year before expenses)

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.10      $ 6.16 **       1.21

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.30      $ 9.96 **       1.96

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.40      $ 4.89 **       0.96

Class R

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,017.80      $ 7.43 **       1.46

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on June 30, 2019.

 

**

Absent an allocation of certain expenses to an affiliate, expenses would be higher.

 

  6  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

Common Stocks — 99.2%

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Aerospace & Defense — 3.6%  

Hexcel Corp.

    25,686     $ 1,883,040  

Mercury Systems, Inc.(1)

    17,880       1,235,687  
            $ 3,118,727  
Auto Components — 1.7%  

Dorman Products, Inc.(1)

    12,787     $ 968,232  

Visteon Corp.(1)

    5,927       513,219  
            $ 1,481,451  
Banks — 8.7%  

City Holding Co.

    8,397     $ 688,134  

Columbia Banking System, Inc.

    31,510       1,281,984  

Community Bank System, Inc.

    21,597       1,532,091  

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    2,562       1,363,522  

Independent Bank Corp.

    8,007       666,583  

Sterling Bancorp

    44,007       927,668  

Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

    26,585       1,091,580  
            $ 7,551,562  
Biotechnology — 2.6%  

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.(1)

    24,216     $ 1,306,453  

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1)

    9,310       970,940  
            $ 2,277,393  
Building Products — 2.1%  

CSW Industrials, Inc.

    6,860     $ 528,220  

Trex Co., Inc.(1)

    14,276       1,283,127  
            $ 1,811,347  
Capital Markets — 0.6%  

Cohen & Steers, Inc.

    7,743     $ 485,951  
            $ 485,951  
Chemicals — 5.3%  

Balchem Corp.

    14,326     $ 1,455,951  

NewMarket Corp.

    3,286       1,598,705  

Valvoline, Inc.

    74,530       1,595,687  
            $ 4,650,343  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.8%  

Brink’s Co. (The)

    15,163     $ 1,374,981  

Viad Corp.

    15,816       1,067,580  
            $ 2,442,561  
Security   Shares     Value  
Diversified Consumer Services — 2.0%  

Grand Canyon Education, Inc.(1)

    3,254     $ 311,701  

K12, Inc.(1)

    24,278       494,057  

ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.(1)

    23,188       896,448  
            $ 1,702,206  
Electric Utilities — 1.6%  

ALLETE, Inc.

    16,715     $ 1,356,757  
            $ 1,356,757  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.6%  

Oceaneering International, Inc.(1)

    36,684     $ 546,958  
            $ 546,958  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 8.7%  

CubeSmart

    38,433     $ 1,209,871  

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

    11,609       1,540,166  

Essential Properties Realty Trust, Inc.

    34,978       867,804  

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

    52,535       1,753,093  

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

    33,833       1,545,153  

STORE Capital Corp.

    17,246       642,241  
            $ 7,558,328  
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.3%  

BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.(1)

    32,832     $ 746,600  

Performance Food Group Co.(1)

    6,879       354,131  
            $ 1,100,731  
Food Products — 2.2%  

Calavo Growers, Inc.

    3,941     $ 357,015  

J&J Snack Foods Corp.

    1,757       323,762  

Lancaster Colony Corp.

    2,847       455,805  

Nomad Foods, Ltd.(1)

    33,154       741,655  
            $ 1,878,237  
Gas Utilities — 1.8%  

ONE Gas, Inc.

    16,819     $ 1,573,754  
            $ 1,573,754  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 6.0%  

Envista Holdings Corp.(1)

    30,443     $ 902,331  

Haemonetics Corp.(1)

    11,670       1,340,883  

ICU Medical, Inc.(1)

    8,962       1,676,969  

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.(1)

    22,089       1,287,347  
            $ 5,207,530  
 

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Health Care Providers & Services — 6.6%  

Addus HomeCare Corp.(1)

    14,394     $ 1,399,385  

Amedisys, Inc.(1)

    11,170       1,864,496  

Chemed Corp.

    3,538       1,554,102  

R1 RCM, Inc.(1)

    71,716       930,874  
            $ 5,748,857  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.6%  

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

    21,839     $ 2,258,808  
            $ 2,258,808  
Insurance — 5.2%  

AMERISAFE, Inc.

    12,510     $ 826,035  

First American Financial Corp.

    11,437       667,006  

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

    30,654       1,338,354  

RLI Corp.

    7,623       686,222  

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

    15,174       989,193  
            $ 4,506,810  
IT Services — 3.2%  

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.(1)

    9,039     $ 1,424,185  

NIC, Inc.

    61,342       1,370,993  
            $ 2,795,178  
Machinery — 5.8%  

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Class A

    163,774     $ 1,962,012  

RBC Bearings, Inc.(1)

    5,797       917,897  

Welbilt, Inc.(1)

    29,114       454,470  

Woodward, Inc.

    14,559       1,724,368  
            $ 5,058,747  
Marine — 1.7%  

Kirby Corp.(1)

    17,052     $ 1,526,666  
            $ 1,526,666  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 1.0%  

Gulfport Energy Corp.(1)

    66,412     $ 201,893  

Jagged Peak Energy, Inc.(1)

    34,374       291,835  

PDC Energy, Inc.(1)

    15,236       398,726  
            $ 892,454  
Pharmaceuticals — 1.2%  

Catalent, Inc.(1)

    18,125     $ 1,020,437  
            $ 1,020,437  
Security   Shares     Value  
Professional Services — 1.5%  

CBIZ, Inc.(1)

    47,412     $ 1,278,227  
            $ 1,278,227  
Road & Rail — 1.5%  

Landstar System, Inc.

    11,153     $ 1,269,992  
            $ 1,269,992  
Software — 10.9%  

ACI Worldwide, Inc.(1)

    76,358     $ 2,892,823  

Altair Engineering, Inc., Class A(1)

    44,497       1,597,887  

CDK Global, Inc.

    24,021       1,313,468  

Envestnet, Inc.(1)

    22,072       1,536,873  

RealPage, Inc.(1)

    40,357       2,169,189  
            $ 9,510,240  
Specialty Retail — 2.6%  

Hudson, Ltd., Class A(1)

    27,384     $ 420,071  

Monro, Inc.

    5,200       406,640  

National Vision Holdings, Inc.(1)

    44,971       1,458,409  
            $ 2,285,120  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.5%  

Columbia Sportswear Co.

    4,248     $ 425,607  
            $ 425,607  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.9%  

Essent Group, Ltd.

    14,933     $ 776,367  
            $ 776,367  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.5%  

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

    19,398     $ 1,293,653  
            $ 1,293,653  
Water Utilities — 0.9%  

Middlesex Water Co.

    12,303     $ 782,102  
            $ 782,102  

Total Common Stocks
(identified cost $67,010,095)

 

  $ 86,173,101  
 

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Short-Term Investments — 1.2%    
Description   Units     Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%(2)

    1,022,542     $ 1,022,542  

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $1,022,445)

 

  $ 1,022,542  

Total Investments — 100.4%
(identified cost $68,032,540)

 

  $ 87,195,643  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — (0.4)%

          $ (305,510

Net Assets — 100.0%

          $ 86,890,133  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

(1) 

Non-income producing security.

 

(2) 

Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2019.

 

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $67,010,095)

   $ 86,173,101  

Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $1,022,445)

     1,022,542  

Dividends receivable

     76,499  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investment

     839  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     175,029  

Receivable from affiliate

     19,702  

Total assets

   $ 87,467,712  
Liabilities

 

Payable for investments purchased

   $ 146,949  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

     267,425  

Payable to affiliates:

  

Investment adviser fee

     55,006  

Administration fee

     11,001  

Distribution and service fees

     9,486  

Trustees’ fees

     1,163  

Accrued expenses

     86,549  

Total liabilities

   $ 577,579  

Net Assets

   $ 86,890,133  
Sources of Net Assets

 

Paid-in capital

   $ 67,115,041  

Distributable earnings

     19,775,092  

Net Assets

   $ 86,890,133  
Class A Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 24,529,653  

Shares Outstanding

     1,860,149  

Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 13.19  

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

  

(100 ÷ 94.25 of net asset value per share)

   $ 13.99  
Class C Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 4,563,860  

Shares Outstanding

     432,574  

Net Asset Value and Offering Price Per Share*

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 10.55  
Class I Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 57,201,679  

Shares Outstanding

     3,857,021  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 14.83  
Class R Shares

 

Net Assets

   $ 594,941  

Shares Outstanding

     47,437  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 12.54  

On sales of $50,000 or more, the offering price of Class A shares is reduced.

 

*

Redemption price per share is equal to the net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Dividends (net of foreign taxes, $2,055)

   $ 869,860  

Dividends from affiliated investment

     19,171  

Total investment income

   $ 889,031  
Expenses         

Investment adviser fee

   $ 578,418  

Administration fee

     115,684  

Distribution and service fees

  

Class A

     60,738  

Class C

     48,891  

Class R

     4,824  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     4,517  

Custodian fee

     30,679  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     91,460  

Legal and accounting services

     45,835  

Printing and postage

     24,872  

Registration fees

     55,654  

Miscellaneous

     16,998  

Total expenses

   $ 1,078,570  

Deduct —

  

Allocation of expenses to affiliate

   $ 223,095  

Total expense reductions

   $ 223,095  

Net expenses

   $ 855,475  

Net investment income

   $ 33,556  
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)         

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 5,396,774  

Investment transactions — affiliated investment

     (27

Net realized gain

   $ 5,396,747  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 11,837,383  

Investments — affiliated investment

     94  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 11,837,477  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 17,234,224  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 17,267,780  

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

 

Net investment income (loss)

   $ 33,556      $ (103,436

Net realized gain

     5,396,747        9,635,803  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     11,837,477        (13,460,997

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 17,267,780      $ (3,928,630

Distributions to shareholders —

 

Class A

   $ (1,755,293    $ (2,254,742

Class C

     (396,798      (1,016,241

Class I

     (3,423,138      (3,938,296

Class R

     (52,605      (91,038

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (5,627,834    $ (7,300,317

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

 

Proceeds from sale of shares

 

Class A

   $ 3,261,995      $ 3,623,121  

Class C

     647,700        2,116,310  

Class I

     23,966,549        6,703,355  

Class R

     252,084        400,213  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

 

Class A

     1,668,660        2,180,383  

Class C

     369,254        974,220  

Class I

     3,325,272        3,791,027  

Class R

     52,605        91,038  

Cost of shares redeemed

 

Class A

     (5,760,756      (7,937,543

Class C

     (2,541,967      (3,747,056

Class I

     (11,899,907      (14,858,960

Class R

     (671,868      (265,029

Net asset value of shares converted

 

Class A

     2,186,365         

Class C

     (2,186,365       

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ 12,669,621      $ (6,928,921

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ 24,309,567      $ (18,157,868
Net Assets

 

At beginning of year

   $ 62,580,566      $ 80,738,434  

At end of year

   $ 86,890,133      $ 62,580,566  

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Class A  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 11.100      $ 13.150      $ 12.740      $ 12.200     $ 15.320  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                            

Net investment loss(1)

   $ (0.008    $ (0.026    $ (0.057    $ (0.053   $ (0.078

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     3.046        (0.660      1.916        2.361       (0.205

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 3.038      $ (0.686    $ 1.859      $ 2.308     $ (0.283
Less Distributions                                            

From net realized gain

   $ (0.948    $ (1.364    $ (1.449    $ (1.768   $ (2.837

Total distributions

   $ (0.948    $ (1.364    $ (1.449    $ (1.768   $ (2.837

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 13.190      $ 11.100      $ 13.150      $ 12.740     $ 12.200  

Total Return(2)

     27.54 %(3)       (5.81 )%(3)        14.91 %(3)       19.32     (2.78 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                            

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 24,530      $ 19,329      $ 24,865      $ 30,174     $ 26,391  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

             

Expenses(4)

     1.21 %(3)       1.35 %(3)       1.42 %(3)       1.52     1.43

Net investment loss

     (0.06 )%       (0.19 )%       (0.43 )%       (0.43 )%      (0.52 )% 

Portfolio Turnover

     54      44      50      76     71

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.29%, 0.17% and 0.10% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  13   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class C  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 9.100      $ 11.110      $ 11.040      $ 10.850     $ 14.040  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                            

Net investment loss(1)

   $ (0.092    $ (0.108    $ (0.133    $ (0.129   $ (0.173

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     2.490        (0.538      1.652        2.087       (0.180

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 2.398      $ (0.646    $ 1.519      $ 1.958     $ (0.353
Less Distributions                                            

From net realized gain

   $ (0.948    $ (1.364    $ (1.449    $ (1.768   $ (2.837

Total distributions

   $ (0.948    $ (1.364    $ (1.449    $ (1.768   $ (2.837

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 10.550      $ 9.100      $ 11.110      $ 11.040     $ 10.850  

Total Return(2)

     26.54 %(3)       (6.52 )%(3)        14.11 %(3)       18.47     (3.59 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                            

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 4,564      $ 7,356      $ 9,565      $ 10,001     $ 9,040  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

             

Expenses(4)

     1.96 %(3)       2.10 %(3)       2.17 %(3)       2.27     2.18

Net investment loss

     (0.87 )%       (0.94 )%       (1.17 )%       (1.18 )%      (1.27 )% 

Portfolio Turnover

     54      44      50      76     71

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.29%, 0.17% and 0.10% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  14   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class I  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 12.360      $ 14.450      $ 13.840      $ 13.080     $ 16.190  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                            

Net investment income (loss)(1)

   $ 0.029      $ 0.010      $ (0.022    $ (0.027   $ (0.043

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     3.389        (0.736      2.081        2.555       (0.230

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 3.418      $ (0.726    $ 2.059      $ 2.528     $ (0.273
Less Distributions                                            

From net realized gain

   $ (0.948    $ (1.364    $ (1.449    $ (1.768   $ (2.837

Total distributions

   $ (0.948    $ (1.364    $ (1.449    $ (1.768   $ (2.837

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 14.830      $ 12.360      $ 14.450      $ 13.840     $ 13.080  

Total Return(2)

     27.81 %(3)       (5.57 )%(3)        15.17 %(3)       19.70     (2.57 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                            

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 57,202      $ 35,097      $ 45,587      $ 34,888     $ 52,335  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

             

Expenses(4)

     0.96 %(3)       1.10 %(3)       1.16 %(3)       1.27     1.18

Net investment income (loss)

     0.20      0.07      (0.15 )%       (0.21 )%      (0.27 )% 

Portfolio Turnover

     54      44      50      76     71

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.29%, 0.17% and 0.10% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  15   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class R  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018      2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 10.620      $ 12.670      $ 12.350      $ 11.900     $ 15.050  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                            

Net investment loss(1)

   $ (0.042    $ (0.053    $ (0.084    $ (0.078   $ (0.113

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     2.910        (0.633      1.853        2.296       (0.200

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 2.868      $ (0.686    $ 1.769      $ 2.218     $ (0.313
Less Distributions                                            

From net realized gain

   $ (0.948    $ (1.364    $ (1.449    $ (1.768   $ (2.837

Total distributions

   $ (0.948    $ (1.364    $ (1.449    $ (1.768   $ (2.837

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 12.540      $ 10.620      $ 12.670      $ 12.350     $ 11.900  

Total Return(2)

     27.18 %(3)       (6.04 )%(3)        14.64 %(3)       19.04     (3.05 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data                                            

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 595      $ 799      $ 722      $ 567     $ 289  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

             

Expenses(4)

     1.46 %(3)       1.60 %(3)       1.66 %(3)       1.77     1.68

Net investment loss

     (0.34 )%       (0.40 )%       (0.66 )%       (0.64 )%      (0.77 )% 

Portfolio Turnover

     54      44      50      76     71

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.29%, 0.17% and 0.10% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  16   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund (the Fund) is a diversified series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to seek long-term capital appreciation. The Fund offers four classes of shares. Class A shares are generally sold subject to a sales charge imposed at time of purchase. Class C shares are sold at net asset value and are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (see Note 5). Effective January 25, 2019, Class C shares generally automatically convert to Class A shares ten years after their purchase as described in the Fund’s prospectus. Class I and Class R shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge. Each class represents a pro-rata interest in the Fund, but votes separately on class-specific matters and (as noted below) is subject to different expenses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income and losses, other than class-specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class of shares differs in its distribution plan and certain other class-specific expenses.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and ask prices on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and ask prices.

Affiliated Fund. The Fund may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a third party pricing service.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Fund in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates.

D  Federal Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

E  Expenses — The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

F  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

G  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the

 

  17  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

It is the present policy of the Fund to make at least one distribution annually (normally in December) of all or substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are declared separately for each class of shares. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund at the net asset value as of the ex-dividend date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018  

Ordinary income

   $ 427,797      $ 973,145  

Long-term capital gains

   $ 5,200,037      $ 6,327,172  

During the year ended December 31, 2019, distributable earnings was decreased by $572,808 and paid-in capital was increased by $572,808 due to the Fund’s use of equalization accounting. Tax equalization accounting allows the Fund to treat as a distribution that portion of redemption proceeds representing a redeeming shareholder’s portion of undistributed taxable income and net capital gains. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.

As of December 31, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 118,700  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

   $ 696,396  

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 18,959,996  

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Fund at December 31, 2019, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 68,235,647  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 20,173,024  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (1,213,028

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 18,959,996  

3  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of EVM, as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets up to $500 million and is payable monthly. On net assets of $500 million and over, the annual fee is reduced. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund’s investment adviser fee amounted to $578,418 or 0.75% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. The Fund invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund. The administration fee is earned by EVM for administering the business affairs of the Fund and is computed at an annual rate of 0.15% of the Fund’s average daily net assets. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the administration fee amounted to $115,684.

 

  18  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

EVM has agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent that total annual operating expenses (relating to ordinary operating expenses only) exceed 1.21%, 1.96%, 0.96% and 1.46% of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class A, Class C, Class I and Class R, respectively. This agreement may be changed or terminated after April 30, 2020. Pursuant to this agreement, EVM was allocated $223,095 of the Fund’s operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019.

EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2019, EVM earned $15,076 from the Fund pursuant to such agreement, which is included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations. The Fund was informed that Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM and the Fund’s principal underwriter, received $3,613 as its portion of the sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the year ended December 31, 2019. EVD also received distribution and service fees from Class A, Class C and Class R shares (see Note 4) and contingent deferred sales charges (see Note 5).

Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2019, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of the above organizations.

4  Distribution Plans

The Fund has in effect a distribution plan for Class A shares (Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund pays EVD a distribution and service fee of 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution services and facilities provided to the Fund by EVD, as well as for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Distribution and service fees paid or accrued to EVD for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $60,738 for Class A shares.

The Fund also has in effect distribution plans for Class C shares (Class C Plan) and Class R shares (Class R Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class C Plan, the Fund pays EVD amounts equal to 0.75% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $36,669 for Class C shares.

The Class R Plan requires the Fund to pay EVD an amount up to 0.50% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. The Trustees of the Trust have currently limited Class R distribution payments to 0.25% per annum of the average daily net assets attributable to Class R shares. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $2,412 for Class R shares.

Pursuant to the Class C and Class R Plans, the Fund also makes payments of service fees to EVD, financial intermediaries and other persons in amounts equal to 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to that class. Service fees paid or accrued are for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. They are separate and distinct from the sales commissions and distribution fees payable to EVD. Service fees paid or accrued for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $12,222 and $2,412 for Class C and Class R shares, respectively.

Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2341(d).

5  Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1% generally is imposed on redemptions of Class C shares made within one year of purchase. Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed within 18 months of purchase (depending on the circumstances of purchase). Generally, the CDSC is based upon the lower of the net asset value at date of redemption or date of purchase. No charge is levied on shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund was informed that EVD received approximately $1,000 of CDSCs paid by Class C shareholders and no CDSCs paid by Class A shareholders.

6  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $47,476,830 and $41,328,641, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

  19  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

7  Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Such shares may be issued in a number of different series (such as the Fund) and classes. Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class A    2019      2018  

Sales

     252,982        258,149  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     127,108        185,092  

Redemptions

     (441,932      (593,147

Converted from Class C shares

     180,687         

Net increase (decrease)

     118,845        (149,906
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class C    2019      2018  

Sales

     61,141        186,200  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     35,006        100,851  

Redemptions

     (251,122      (339,855

Converted to Class A shares

     (220,838       

Net decrease

     (375,813      (52,804
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class I    2019      2018  

Sales

     1,613,928        440,035  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     225,769        288,950  

Redemptions

     (822,530      (1,044,718

Net increase (decrease)

     1,017,167        (315,733
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class R    2019      2018  

Sales

     20,396        30,244  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     4,192        8,071  

Redemptions

     (52,386      (20,029

Net increase (decrease)

     (27,798      18,286  

8  Line of Credit

The Fund participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in an $800 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 27, 2020. In connection with the renewal of the agreement on October 29, 2019, funds managed by Calvert Research and Management, an affiliate of EVM, were added as participating funds to the agreement and the borrowing limit was increased from $625 million. Borrowings are made by the Fund solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to the Fund based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Eurodollar rate or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Fund, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Fund did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

  20  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

9  Investments in Affiliated Funds

At December 31, 2019, the value of the Fund’s investment in affiliated funds was $1,022,542, which represents 1.2% of the Fund’s net assets. Transactions in affiliated funds by the Fund for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Name of affiliated fund   Value,
beginning of
period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gain (loss)
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
    Value, end
of period
    Dividend
income
    Units, end
of period
 

Short-Term Investments

 

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%

  $ 40,124     $ 34,243,907     $ (33,261,556   $ (27   $ 94     $ 1,022,542     $ 19,171       1,022,542  

10  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At December 31, 2019, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

   $ 86,173,101    $      $         —      $ 86,173,101  

Short-Term Investments

            1,022,542               1,022,542  

Total Investments

   $ 86,173,101      $ 1,022,542      $      $ 87,195,643  

 

*

The level classification by major category of investments is the same as the category presentation in the Portfolio of Investments.

 

  21  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 21, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  22  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you received in February 2020 showed the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2019. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals, the dividends received deduction for corporations and capital gains dividends.

Qualified Dividend Income.  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund designates approximately $646,056, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate of 15%.

Dividends Received Deduction.  Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Fund’s fiscal 2019 ordinary income dividends, 98.37% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

Capital Gains Dividends.  The Fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended December 31, 2019, $4,724,070 or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.

 

  23  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization

 

 

Fund Management.  The Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Trustees and officers of the Trust hold indefinite terms of office. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is the Fund’s principal underwriter and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 159 portfolios in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure). Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds. Each Trustee and officer serves until his or her successor is elected.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Trust

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Interested Trustee                   

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

1958

   Trustee      2007     

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 159 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust.

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm).

Noninterested Trustees

Mark R. Fetting

1954

   Trustee      2016     

Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Cynthia E. Frost

1961

   Trustee      2014     

Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

George J. Gorman

1952

   Trustee      2014     

Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) (2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds (9 funds) (2010-2014).

Valerie A. Mosley

1960

   Trustee      2014     

Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Former Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Former Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (since 2013).

William H. Park

1947

   Chairperson of the Board and Trustee     

2016 (Chairperson)

2003 (Trustee)

    

Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

 

  24  


Eaton Vance

Small-Cap Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the

Trust

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Noninterested Trustees (continued)

Helen Frame Peters

1948

   Trustee      2008     

Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Keith Quinton

1958

   Trustee      2018     

Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (since 2017). Advisory Committee member at Northfield Information Services, Inc. (risk management analytics provider) (since 2016). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank (since 2016).

Marcus L. Smith

1966

   Trustee      2018     

Member of Posse Boston Advisory Board (foundation) (since 2015). Trustee at University of Mount Union (since 2008). Formerly, Portfolio Manager at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm) (1994-2017).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018).

Susan J. Sutherland

1957

   Trustee      2015     

Private investor. Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (global provider of customized insurance and reinsurance products) (2013-2015).

Scott E. Wennerholm

1959

   Trustee      2016     

Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

 

Name and Year of Birth    Position(s)
with the
Trust
     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

Payson F. Swaffield

1956

   President      2003      Vice President and Chief Income Investment Officer of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”).

Maureen A. Gemma

1960

   Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer      2005      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

James F. Kirchner

1967

   Treasurer      2007      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

Richard F. Froio

1968

   Chief Compliance Officer      2017      Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2017. Formerly Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Adviser/Funds) and Chief Compliance Officer (Distribution) at PIMCO (2012-2017) and Managing Director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors (2009-2012).

 

(1) 

Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise.

(2) 

Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise, year of most recent election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election.

The SAI for the Fund includes additional information about the Trustees and officers of the Fund and can be obtained without charge on Eaton Vance’s website at www.eatonvance.com or by calling 1-800-262-1122.

 

  25  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each entity listed below has adopted a privacy policy and procedures (“Privacy Program”) Eaton Vance believes is reasonably designed to protect your personal information and to govern when and with whom Eaton Vance may share your personal information.

 

 

At the time of opening an account, Eaton Vance generally requires you to provide us with certain information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account numbers, and account balances. This information is necessary for us to both open an account for you and to allow us to satisfy legal requirements such as applicable anti-money laundering reviews and know-your-customer requirements.

 

 

On an ongoing basis, in the normal course of servicing your account, Eaton Vance may share your information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various services for Eaton Vance and/or your account. These third parties include transfer agents, custodians, broker/dealers and our professional advisers, including auditors, accountants, and legal counsel. Eaton Vance may additionally share your personal information with our affiliates.

 

 

We believe our Privacy Program is reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access to that information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Program at any time upon proper notification to you. You may want to review our Privacy Program periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of protecting your personal information applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Limited, Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, and Calvert Funds. This Privacy Notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about our Privacy Program or about how your personal information may be used, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will typically be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-PORT will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

  26  


This Page Intentionally Left Blank


This Page Intentionally Left Blank


Investment Adviser

Boston Management and Research

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Administrator

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 262-1122

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
*

FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


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164    12.31.19


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Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

Annual Report

December 31, 2019

 

 

 

 

Important Note. Beginning on January 1, 2021, as permitted by regulations adopted by the Securities and Exchange Commission, paper copies of the Fund’s annual and semi-annual shareholder reports will no longer be sent by mail unless you specifically request paper copies of the reports. Instead, the reports will be made available on the Fund’s website (eatonvance.com/funddocuments), and you will be notified by mail each time a report is posted and provided with a website address to access the report.

If you already elected to receive shareholder reports electronically, you will not be affected by this change and you need not take any action. If you are a direct investor, you may elect to receive shareholder reports and other communications from the Fund electronically by signing up for e-Delivery at eatonvance.com/edelivery. If you own your shares through a financial intermediary (such as a broker-dealer or bank), you must contact your financial intermediary to sign up.

You may elect to receive all future Fund shareholder reports in paper free of charge. If you are a direct investor, you can inform the Fund that you wish to continue receiving paper copies of your shareholder reports by calling 1-800-262-1122. If you own these shares through a financial intermediary, you must contact your financial intermediary or follow instructions included with this disclosure, if applicable, to elect to continue to receive paper copies of your shareholder reports. Your election to receive reports in paper will apply to all Eaton Vance funds held directly or to all funds held through your financial intermediary, as applicable.

 

LOGO


 

 

Commodity Futures Trading Commission Registration. Effective December 31, 2012, the Commodity Futures Trading Commission (“CFTC”) adopted certain regulatory changes that subject registered investment companies and advisers to regulation by the CFTC if a fund invests more than a prescribed level of its assets in certain CFTC-regulated instruments (including futures, certain options and swap agreements) or markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. The Fund has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term “commodity pool operator” under the Commodity Exchange Act. Accordingly, neither the Fund nor the adviser with respect to the operation of the Fund is subject to CFTC regulation. Because of its management of other strategies, the Fund’s adviser is registered with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator and a commodity trading advisor.

Fund shares are not insured by the FDIC and are not deposits or other obligations of, or guaranteed by, any depository institution. Shares are subject to investment risks, including possible loss of principal invested.

This report must be preceded or accompanied by a current summary prospectus or prospectus. Before investing, investors should consider carefully the investment objective, risks, and charges and expenses of a mutual fund. This and other important information is contained in the summary prospectus and prospectus, which can be obtained from a financial intermediary. Prospective investors should read the prospectus carefully before investing. For further information, please call 1-800-262-1122.


Annual Report December 31, 2019

Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

Table of Contents

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance

     2  

Performance

     3  

Fund Profile

     4  

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

     5  

Fund Expenses

     6  

Financial Statements

     7  

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

     21  

Federal Tax Information

     22  

Management and Organization

     23  

Important Notices

     26  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management’s Discussion of Fund Performance1

 

 

Economic and Market Conditions

With virtually every U.S. equity index posting strong double-digit returns for the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019 — and bond markets solidly in the black as well — 2019 was a good year for investments.

As the new year dawned in January 2019, investors appeared to be taking a “glass is half full” approach. Although U.S. manufacturing output and business investment remained weak — held back by slowing global growth and an on-again/off-again U.S.-China trade war — strong spending by U.S. consumers and dovish remarks by the U.S. Federal Reserve (the Fed) combined to lift investor sentiment. After four federal funds rate hikes the previous year, markets began to project the Fed might actually lower rates in 2019 to stimulate the economy. U.S. unemployment, meanwhile, remained low and hiring remained strong.

As a result, U.S. stocks across multiple markets climbed from January through April 2019. Overseas, central banks around the world began to cut interest rates and employ other tools to stimulate their respective economies. Even a global stock pullback in May — sparked by heightened concerns about the U.S.-China trade spat — proved to be temporary, and the U.S. and global stock rallies resumed in June and July.

After holding interest rates steady through the first half of the year, the Fed cut the federal funds rate on July 31, 2019 — its first reduction in over a decade — followed by two additional rate cuts in September and October to end the period at 1.50%-1.75%. By end of the third quarter, 60 central banks around the world had lowered their interest rates as well.

After falling in August, U.S. equities rallied again during the final months of the period, spurred by optimism about a U.S.-China trade détente and better-than-expected U.S. employment reports. The year ended with two events in December that did much to allay investor concerns about international trade and tariffs: passage of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement by the U.S. House of Representatives and the Trump administration’s agreement to a so-called “phase–one” trade deal with China.

During the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, the blue-chip Dow Jones Industrial Average®2 returned 25.34%, while the broader U.S. equity market, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, returned 31.49%. The technology-laden Nasdaq Composite Index returned 36.69% during the period. Large-cap U.S. stocks, as measured by the S&P 500® Index, generally outperformed their small-cap counterparts, as measured by the Russell 2000® Index. As a group, growth stocks outpaced value stocks in both large- and small-cap categories, as measured by the Russell growth and value indexes.

Fund Performance

For the 12-month period ended December 31, 2019, Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund returned 28.12% for Class A shares at net asset value (NAV), outperforming its benchmark, the Russell 2500TM Index (the Index), which returned 27.77%.

The Fund outperformed the Index largely due to stock selection. Sector and industry allocations within sectors also made positive contributions to Fund performance relative to the Index. Of the 11 market sectors within the Index, the Fund had positive returns in nine of the 10 sectors in which it was invested. The Index itself had positive returns in 10 sectors.

The financials sector contributed most to relative Fund performance versus the Index, due to stock selection and an underweight position in this lagging sector. The Fund’s top-performing individual stock within this sector was asset manager Cohen & Steers, Inc., which specializes in real estate investment trusts (REITs). The company beat earnings forecasts behind strong investor demand for REITs, as investors pursued investments offering higher levels of income in the declining interest-rate environment. Specialty insurer Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (Kinsale) was also among the Fund’s leading stocks amid rapid growth and market-share gains. By period-end, Kinsale was sold from the Fund.

Stock selection along with an overweight position in the outperforming industrials sector also boosted Fund performance relative to the Index. In particular, the commercial services & supplies industry and the road & rail industry delivered notable results during the period. Railroad firm Kansas City Southern was one of the Fund’s leading individual stocks after reporting solid earnings growth.

The health care industry contributed to relative Fund returns versus the Index thanks to stock selection along with an overweight position in this outperforming sector. In the pharmaceuticals industry, contract manufacturer Catalent, Inc. was among the Fund’s leading stocks amid better-than-forecast earnings and two large acquisitions.

Conversely, the information technology sector — the highest performing sector in the Index — was the Fund’s biggest detractor from relative performance versus the Index, due to stock selection as well as an underweight position. In particular, the Fund’s lack of exposure to the semiconductors & semiconductor equipment industry, which outperformed the Index, constrained relative Fund returns during the period. In the software industry, RealPage, Inc., which provides software to the real estate industry, was one of the Fund’s poorest-performing stocks amid slowing growth.

The consumer discretionary sector also detracted from Fund performance relative to the Index during the period. In the diversified consumer services industry, online education provider Grand Canyon Education, Inc. was among the Fund’s weakest individual stocks as it dealt with regulatory issues. Gildan Activewear, Inc. (Gildan), a supplier of T-shirts to corporate customers, also lagged during the period amid weak demand. By period-end, Gildan was sold from the Fund.

Stock selection in the communication services sector also constrained Fund performance relative to the Index. The Fund’s worst-performing stock during the period was Eventbrite, Inc. (Eventbrite), a supplier of event-planning software. The company reported disappointing earnings and also experienced problems integrating a major acquisition. By period-end, Eventbrite was sold from the Fund.

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  2  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Performance2,3

 

Portfolio Managers Michael D. McLean, CFA and J. Griffith Noble, CFA

 

% Average Annual Total Returns   

Class

Inception Date

    

Performance

Inception Date

     One Year      Five Years      Ten Years  

Class A at NAV

     04/22/1968        04/22/1968        28.12      9.48      10.70

Class A with 5.75% Maximum Sales Charge

                   20.75        8.20        10.05  

Class C at NAV

     11/17/1994        04/22/1968        27.14        8.66        9.87  

Class C with 1% Maximum Sales Charge

                   26.14        8.66        9.87  

Class I at NAV

     07/29/2011        04/22/1968        28.40        9.76        10.94  

Russell 2500™ Index

                   27.77      8.92      12.57
              
% Total Annual Operating Expense Ratios4                    Class A      Class C      Class I  

Gross

           1.37      2.12      1.12

Net

           1.20        1.95        0.95  

Growth of $10,000

 

This graph shows the change in value of a hypothetical investment of $10,000 in Class A of the Fund for the period indicated. For comparison, the same investment is shown in the indicated index.

 

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Growth of Investment3    Amount Invested      Period Beginning      At NAV     With Maximum Sales Charge  

Class C

   $ 10,000        12/31/2009      $ 25,646       N.A.  

Class I

   $ 250,000        12/31/2009      $ 706,170       N.A.  

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

Past performance is no guarantee of future results. Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value (NAV) or offering price (as applicable) with all distributions reinvested. Investment return and principal value will fluctuate so that shares, when redeemed, may be worth more or less than their original cost. Performance for periods less than or equal to one year is cumulative. Performance is for the stated time period only; due to market volatility, current Fund performance may be lower or higher than the quoted return. For performance as of the most recent month-end, please refer to eatonvance.com.

 

  3  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Profile

 

 

Sector Allocation (% of net assets)5

 

 

LOGO

Top 10 Holdings (% of net assets)5

 

 

ACI Worldwide, Inc.

     3.2

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

     2.5  

RealPage, Inc.

     2.3  

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.

     2.3  

Black Knight, Inc.

     2.3  

Hexcel Corp.

     2.2  

Kansas City Southern

     2.0  

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

     1.9  

National Retail Properties, Inc.

     1.8  

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Class A

     1.8  

Total

     22.3
 

 

 

See Endnotes and Additional Disclosures in this report.

 

  4  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Endnotes and Additional Disclosures

 

 

1 

The views expressed in this report are those of the portfolio manager(s) and are current only through the date stated at the top of this page. These views are subject to change at any time based upon market or other conditions, and Eaton Vance and the Fund(s) disclaim any responsibility to update such views. These views may not be relied upon as investment advice and, because investment decisions are based on many factors, may not be relied upon as an indication of trading intent on behalf of any Eaton Vance fund. This commentary may contain statements that are not historical facts, referred to as “forward looking statements.” The Fund’s actual future results may differ significantly from those stated in any forward looking statement, depending on factors such as changes in securities or financial markets or general economic conditions, the volume of sales and purchases of Fund shares, the continuation of investment advisory, administrative and service contracts, and other risks discussed from time to time in the Fund’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

 

2 

Dow Jones Industrial Average® is a price-weighted average of 30 blue-chip stocks that are generally the leaders in their industry. S&P 500® Index is an unmanaged index of large-cap stocks commonly used as a measure of U.S. stock market performance. NASDAQ Composite Index is a market capitalization-weighted index of all domestic and international securities listed on NASDAQ. Source: Nasdaq, Inc. The information is provided by Nasdaq (with its affiliates, are referred to as the “Corporations”) and Nasdaq’s third party licensors on an “as is” basis and the Corporations make no guarantees and bear no liability of any kind with respect to the information or the Fund. Russell 2000® Index is an unmanaged index of 2,000 U.S. small-cap stocks. Russell 2500™ Index is an unmanaged index of approximately 2,500 small- and midcap U.S. stocks. Unless otherwise stated, index returns do not reflect the effect of any applicable sales charges, commissions, expenses, taxes or leverage, as applicable. It is not possible to invest directly in an index.

 

3 

Total Returns at NAV do not include applicable sales charges. If sales charges were deducted, the returns would be lower. Total Returns shown with maximum sales charge reflect the stated maximum sales charge. Unless otherwise stated, performance does not reflect the deduction of taxes on Fund distributions or redemptions of Fund shares.

 

  

Performance prior to the inception date of a class may be linked to the performance of an older class of the Fund. This linked performance is adjusted for any applicable sales charge, but is not adjusted for class expense differences. If adjusted for such differences, the performance would be different. The performance of Class I is linked to Class A. Performance presented in the Financial Highlights included in the financial statements is not linked.

4 

Source: Fund prospectus. Net expense ratios reflect a contractual expense reimbursement that continues through 4/30/21. Without the reimbursement, performance would have been lower. The expense ratios for the current reporting period can be found in the Financial Highlights section of this report.

 

5 

Excludes cash and cash equivalents.

 

  

Fund profile subject to change due to active management.

 

 

  5  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Fund Expenses

 

 

Example:  As a Fund shareholder, you incur two types of costs: (1) transaction costs, including sales charges (loads) on purchases and redemption fees (if applicable); and (2) ongoing costs, including management fees; distribution and/or service fees; and other Fund expenses. This Example is intended to help you understand your ongoing costs (in dollars) of Fund investing and to compare these costs with the ongoing costs of investing in other mutual funds. The Example is based on an investment of $1,000 invested at the beginning of the period and held for the entire period (July 1, 2019 – December 31, 2019).

Actual Expenses:  The first section of the table below provides information about actual account values and actual expenses. You may use the information in this section, together with the amount you invested, to estimate the expenses that you paid over the period. Simply divide your account value by $1,000 (for example, an $8,600 account value divided by $1,000 = 8.6), then multiply the result by the number in the first section under the heading entitled “Expenses Paid During Period” to estimate the expenses you paid on your account during this period.

Hypothetical Example for Comparison Purposes:  The second section of the table below provides information about hypothetical account values and hypothetical expenses based on the actual Fund expense ratio and an assumed rate of return of 5% per year (before expenses), which is not the actual Fund return. The hypothetical account values and expenses may not be used to estimate the actual ending account balance or expenses you paid for the period. You may use this information to compare the ongoing costs of investing in your Fund and other funds. To do so, compare this 5% hypothetical example with the 5% hypothetical examples that appear in the shareholder reports of the other funds.

Please note that the expenses shown in the table are meant to highlight your ongoing costs only and do not reflect any transactional costs, such as sales charges (loads) or redemption fees (if applicable). Therefore, the second section of the table is useful in comparing ongoing costs only, and will not help you determine the relative total costs of owning different funds. In addition, if these transactional costs were included, your costs would be higher.

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(7/1/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(12/31/19)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(7/1/19 – 12/31/19)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Actual

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,042.00      $ 6.28 **       1.22

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,037.80      $ 10.12 **       1.97

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,042.90      $ 4.99 **       0.97
         

Hypothetical

          

(5% return per year before expenses)

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.10      $ 6.21 **       1.22

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.30      $ 10.01 **       1.97

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.30      $ 4.94 **       0.97

Effective October 1, 2019, the contractual expense caps of the Fund changed. If these changes had been in place during the entire reporting period, the actual and hypothetical ending accounting values, expenses paid and annualized expense ratios would have been as follows:

 

     Beginning
Account Value
(7/1/19)
     Ending
Account Value
(12/31/19)
     Expenses Paid
During Period*
(7/1/19 – 12/31/19)
     Annualized
Expense
Ratio
 

Actual

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,042.00      $ 6.18 **       1.20

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,037.80      $ 10.02 **       1.95

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,042.90      $ 4.89 **       0.95
         

Hypothetical

          

(5% return per year before expenses)

          

Class A

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,019.20      $ 6.11 **       1.20

Class C

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,015.40      $ 9.91 **       1.95

Class I

  $ 1,000.00      $ 1,020.40      $ 4.84 **       0.95

 

*

Expenses are equal to the Fund’s annualized expense ratio for the indicated Class, multiplied by the average account value over the period, multiplied by 184/365 (to reflect the one-half year period). The Example assumes that the $1,000 was invested at the net asset value per share determined at the close of business on June 30, 2019.

 

**

Absent an allocation of certain expenses to an affiliate, expenses would be higher.

 

  6  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments

 

 

Common Stocks — 98.1%

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Aerospace & Defense — 3.5%  

Hexcel Corp.

    15,176     $ 1,112,553  

Mercury Systems, Inc.(1)

    9,781       675,965  
            $ 1,788,518  
Auto Components — 1.3%  

Dorman Products, Inc.(1)

    5,790     $ 438,419  

Visteon Corp.(1)

    2,375       205,651  
            $ 644,070  
Banks — 7.1%  

Commerce Bancshares, Inc.

    10,605     $ 720,504  

Community Bank System, Inc.

    8,820       625,691  

First Citizens BancShares, Inc., Class A

    1,335       710,500  

First Republic Bank

    5,223       613,441  

Sterling Bancorp

    23,413       493,546  

Stock Yards Bancorp, Inc.

    11,375       467,058  
            $ 3,630,740  
Biotechnology — 1.8%  

Emergent BioSolutions, Inc.(1)

    10,735     $ 579,154  

Ligand Pharmaceuticals, Inc.(1)

    3,325       346,764  
            $ 925,918  
Building Products — 1.5%  

CSW Industrials, Inc.

    3,350     $ 257,950  

Trex Co., Inc.(1)

    5,440       488,947  
            $ 746,897  
Capital Markets — 1.5%  

Cohen & Steers, Inc.

    7,494     $ 470,323  

Tradeweb Markets, Inc., Class A

    6,290       291,542  
            $ 761,865  
Chemicals — 4.3%  

Balchem Corp.

    6,337     $ 644,029  

NewMarket Corp.

    1,385       673,830  

Valvoline, Inc.

    41,985       898,899  
            $ 2,216,758  
Commercial Services & Supplies — 2.3%  

Brink’s Co. (The)

    8,366     $ 758,629  

Viad Corp.

    5,885       397,237  
            $ 1,155,866  
Security   Shares     Value  
Containers & Packaging — 0.6%  

Ball Corp.

    4,705     $ 304,272  
            $ 304,272  
Diversified Consumer Services — 2.0%  

Grand Canyon Education, Inc.(1)

    1,833     $ 175,583  

K12, Inc.(1)

    12,970       263,940  

ServiceMaster Global Holdings, Inc.(1)

    15,420       596,137  
            $ 1,035,660  
Electric Utilities — 1.4%  

Alliant Energy Corp.

    13,289     $ 727,174  
            $ 727,174  
Electrical Equipment — 1.5%  

AMETEK, Inc.

    7,790     $ 776,975  
            $ 776,975  
Energy Equipment & Services — 0.5%  

Oceaneering International, Inc.(1)

    16,530     $ 246,462  
            $ 246,462  
Equity Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) — 10.4%  

CubeSmart

    21,662     $ 681,920  

EastGroup Properties, Inc.

    6,795       901,492  

Essex Property Trust, Inc.

    1,886       567,422  

Federal Realty Investment Trust

    2,619       337,144  

Healthcare Realty Trust, Inc.

    27,410       914,672  

National Retail Properties, Inc.

    17,390       932,452  

Rexford Industrial Realty, Inc.

    21,150       965,920  
            $ 5,301,022  
Food & Staples Retailing — 1.2%  

BJ’s Wholesale Club Holdings, Inc.(1)

    17,895     $ 406,932  

Performance Food Group Co.(1)

    3,928       202,214  
            $ 609,146  
Food Products — 2.0%  

Calavo Growers, Inc.

    2,305     $ 208,810  

J&J Snack Foods Corp.

    770       141,888  

Lancaster Colony Corp.

    1,605       256,960  

Nomad Foods, Ltd.(1)

    19,000       425,030  
            $ 1,032,688  
 

 

  7   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Gas Utilities — 1.4%  

ONE Gas, Inc.

    7,740     $ 724,232  
            $ 724,232  
Health Care Equipment & Supplies — 6.4%  

Cooper Cos., Inc. (The)

    891     $ 286,269  

Envista Holdings Corp.(1)

    17,815       528,037  

Haemonetics Corp.(1)

    4,870       559,563  

ICU Medical, Inc.(1)

    2,898       542,274  

Integra LifeSciences Holdings Corp.(1)

    4,754       277,063  

Teleflex, Inc.

    1,614       607,574  

West Pharmaceutical Services, Inc.

    2,974       447,082  
            $ 3,247,862  
Health Care Providers & Services — 4.6%  

Addus HomeCare Corp.(1)

    6,055     $ 588,667  

Amedisys, Inc.(1)

    5,240       874,661  

Chemed Corp.

    1,305       573,234  

R1 RCM, Inc.(1)

    23,480       304,771  
            $ 2,341,333  
Hotels, Restaurants & Leisure — 2.5%  

Choice Hotels International, Inc.

    12,380     $ 1,280,463  
            $ 1,280,463  
Insurance — 4.1%  

AMERISAFE, Inc.

    4,165     $ 275,015  

First American Financial Corp.

    5,021       292,825  

Horace Mann Educators Corp.

    15,735       686,990  

RLI Corp.

    5,857       527,247  

Selective Insurance Group, Inc.

    5,070       330,513  
            $ 2,112,590  
IT Services — 5.8%  

Black Knight, Inc.(1)

    17,947     $ 1,157,223  

Euronet Worldwide, Inc.(1)

    7,446       1,173,192  

NIC, Inc.

    29,215       652,955  
            $ 2,983,370  
Machinery — 4.4%  

Mueller Water Products, Inc., Class A

    77,050     $ 923,059  

RBC Bearings, Inc.(1)

    1,941       307,338  

Welbilt, Inc.(1)

    14,080       219,789  

Woodward, Inc.

    6,565       777,558  
            $ 2,227,744  
Security   Shares     Value  
Marine — 1.3%  

Kirby Corp.(1)

    7,683     $ 687,859  
            $ 687,859  
Multi-Utilities — 1.6%  

CMS Energy Corp.

    13,405     $ 842,370  
            $ 842,370  
Oil, Gas & Consumable Fuels — 2.0%  

Diamondback Energy, Inc.

    7,110     $ 660,234  

Gulfport Energy Corp.(1)

    16,500       50,160  

Jagged Peak Energy, Inc.(1)

    13,234       112,357  

PDC Energy, Inc.(1)

    8,035       210,276  
            $ 1,033,027  
Pharmaceuticals — 1.8%  

Catalent, Inc.(1)

    6,035     $ 339,770  

Jazz Pharmaceuticals PLC(1)

    3,945       588,910  
            $ 928,680  
Professional Services — 1.1%  

CBIZ, Inc.(1)

    21,450     $ 578,292  
            $ 578,292  
Road & Rail — 2.7%  

Kansas City Southern

    6,620     $ 1,013,919  

Landstar System, Inc.

    3,160       359,829  
            $ 1,373,748  
Software — 9.8%  

ACI Worldwide, Inc.(1)

    43,198     $ 1,636,556  

Altair Engineering, Inc., Class A(1)

    24,117       866,042  

CDK Global, Inc.

    11,805       645,497  

Envestnet, Inc.(1)

    9,985       695,256  

RealPage, Inc.(1)

    22,048       1,185,080  
            $ 5,028,431  
Specialty Retail — 2.4%  

Hudson, Ltd., Class A(1)

    11,645     $ 178,634  

Monro, Inc.

    2,430       190,026  

National Vision Holdings, Inc.(1)

    25,660       832,154  
            $ 1,200,814  
 

 

  8   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Portfolio of Investments — continued

 

 

Security   Shares     Value  
Textiles, Apparel & Luxury Goods — 0.4%  

Columbia Sportswear Co.

    1,990     $ 199,378  
            $ 199,378  
Thrifts & Mortgage Finance — 0.8%  

Essent Group, Ltd.

    7,779     $ 404,430  
            $ 404,430  
Trading Companies & Distributors — 1.5%  

Applied Industrial Technologies, Inc.

    11,184     $ 745,861  
            $ 745,861  
Water Utilities — 0.6%  

Middlesex Water Co.

    4,745     $ 301,640  
            $ 301,640  

Total Common Stocks
(identified cost $37,163,984)

 

  $ 50,146,155  
Short-Term Investments — 1.9%

 

Description   Units     Value  

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%(2)

    971,029     $ 971,029  

Total Short-Term Investments
(identified cost $970,988)

 

  $ 971,029  

Total Investments — 100.0%
(identified cost $38,134,972)

 

  $ 51,117,184  

Other Assets, Less Liabilities — 0.0%(3)

 

  $ 21,342  

Net Assets — 100.0%

 

  $ 51,138,526  

The percentage shown for each investment category in the Portfolio of Investments is based on net assets.

 

(1) 

Non-income producing security.

 

(2) 

Affiliated investment company, available to Eaton Vance portfolios and funds, which invests in high quality, U.S. dollar denominated money market instruments. The rate shown is the annualized seven-day yield as of December 31, 2019.

 

(3) 

Amount is less than 0.05%.

 

 

  9   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Assets and Liabilities

 

 

Assets    December 31, 2019  

Unaffiliated investments, at value (identified cost, $37,163,984)

   $ 50,146,155  

Affiliated investment, at value (identified cost, $970,988)

     971,029  

Dividends receivable

     39,127  

Dividends receivable from affiliated investment

     998  

Receivable for Fund shares sold

     170,641  

Receivable from affiliate

     5,763  

Total assets

   $ 51,333,713  
Liabilities         

Payable for investments purchased

   $ 85,970  

Payable for Fund shares redeemed

     5,065  

Payable to affiliates:

  

Investment adviser fee

     26,194  

Distribution and service fees

     7,714  

Trustees’ fees

     725  

Accrued expenses

     69,519  

Total liabilities

   $ 195,187  

Net Assets

   $ 51,138,526  
Sources of Net Assets         

Paid-in capital

   $ 37,748,427  

Distributable earnings

     13,390,099  

Net Assets

   $ 51,138,526  
Class A Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 32,825,179  

Shares Outstanding

     1,351,079  

Net Asset Value and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 24.30  

Maximum Offering Price Per Share

  

(100 ÷ 94.25 of net asset value per share)

   $ 25.78  
Class C Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 956,513  

Shares Outstanding

     45,673  

Net Asset Value and Offering Price Per Share*

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 20.94  
Class I Shares         

Net Assets

   $ 17,356,834  

Shares Outstanding

     694,032  

Net Asset Value, Offering Price and Redemption Price Per Share

  

(net assets ÷ shares of beneficial interest outstanding)

   $ 25.01  

On sales of $50,000 or more, the offering price of Class A shares is reduced.

 

*

Redemption price per share is equal to the net asset value less any applicable contingent deferred sales charge.

 

  10   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statement of Operations

 

 

Investment Income   

Year Ended

December 31, 2019

 

Dividends (net of foreign taxes, $1,429)

   $ 540,986  

Dividends from affiliated investment

     9,743  

Total investment income

   $ 550,729  
Expenses         

Investment adviser fee

   $ 299,937  

Distribution and service fees

  

Class A

     82,182  

Class C

     9,884  

Trustees’ fees and expenses

     2,939  

Custodian fee

     25,665  

Transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees

     62,743  

Legal and accounting services

     41,132  

Printing and postage

     18,388  

Registration fees

     42,997  

Miscellaneous

     13,660  

Total expenses

   $ 599,527  

Deduct —

  

Allocation of expenses to affiliate

   $ 10,689  

Total expense reductions

   $ 10,689  

Net expenses

   $ 588,838  

Net investment loss

   $ (38,109
Realized and Unrealized Gain (Loss)         

Net realized gain (loss) —

  

Investment transactions

   $ 2,286,563  

Investment transactions — affiliated investment

     (38

Net realized gain

   $ 2,286,525  

Change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) —

  

Investments

   $ 9,213,075  

Investments — affiliated investment

     36  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

   $ 9,213,111  

Net realized and unrealized gain

   $ 11,499,636  

Net increase in net assets from operations

   $ 11,461,527  

 

  11   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Statements of Changes in Net Assets

 

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Increase (Decrease) in Net Assets    2019      2018  

From operations —

     

Net investment loss

   $ (38,109    $ (55,591

Net realized gain

     2,286,525        4,591,740  

Net change in unrealized appreciation (depreciation)

     9,213,111        (6,520,753

Net increase (decrease) in net assets from operations

   $ 11,461,527      $ (1,984,604

Distributions to shareholders —

     

Class A

   $ (1,432,333    $ (2,501,084

Class C

     (47,924      (152,745

Class I

     (683,967      (936,941

Total distributions to shareholders

   $ (2,164,224    $ (3,590,770

Transactions in shares of beneficial interest —

     

Proceeds from sale of shares

     

Class A

   $ 925,631      $ 1,157,319  

Class C

     47,571        187,769  

Class I

     6,507,487        3,283,176  

Net asset value of shares issued to shareholders in payment of distributions declared

     

Class A

     1,204,363        2,050,820  

Class C

     47,823        150,290  

Class I

     678,594        927,608  

Cost of shares redeemed

     

Class A

     (4,699,984      (3,300,392

Class C

     (282,146      (902,688

Class I

     (3,626,142      (2,796,758

Net asset value of shares converted

     

Class A

     529,438         

Class C

     (529,438       

Net increase in net assets from Fund share transactions

   $ 803,197      $ 757,144  

Net increase (decrease) in net assets

   $ 10,100,500      $ (4,818,230
Net Assets                  

At beginning of year

   $ 41,038,026      $ 45,856,256  

At end of year

   $ 51,138,526      $ 41,038,026  

 

  12   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights

 

 

     Class A  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 19.820      $ 22.700     $ 21.100      $ 19.550     $ 22.460  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                           

Net investment loss(1)

   $ (0.034    $ (0.036   $ (0.070    $ (0.058   $ (0.111

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     5.586        (0.982     3.281        3.025       (0.539

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 5.552      $ (1.018   $ 3.211      $ 2.967     $ (0.650
Less Distributions                                           

From net realized gain

   $ (1.072    $ (1.862   $ (1.611    $ (1.417   $ (2.260

Total distributions

   $ (1.072    $ (1.862   $ (1.611    $ (1.417   $ (2.260

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 24.300      $ 19.820     $ 22.700      $ 21.100     $ 19.550  

Total Return(2)

     28.12 %(3)       (4.95 )%(3)       15.38 %(3)       15.44     (2.99 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 32,825      $ 28,419     $ 32,397      $ 32,005     $ 30,930  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

            

Expenses(4)

     1.29 %(3)       1.35 %(3)      1.36 %(3)       1.41     1.32

Net investment loss

     (0.14 )%       (0.15 )%      (0.32 )%       (0.29 )%      (0.48 )% 

Portfolio Turnover

     39      41     65      67     83

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.02%, 0.02% and 0.01% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  13   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class C  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 17.330      $ 20.230     $ 19.110      $ 17.960     $ 20.970  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                           

Net investment loss(1)

   $ (0.191    $ (0.195   $ (0.215    $ (0.191   $ (0.262

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     4.873        (0.843     2.946        2.758       (0.488

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 4.682      $ (1.038   $ 2.731      $ 2.567     $ (0.750
Less Distributions                                           

From net realized gain

   $ (1.072    $ (1.862   $ (1.611    $ (1.417   $ (2.260

Total distributions

   $ (1.072    $ (1.862   $ (1.611    $ (1.417   $ (2.260

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 20.940      $ 17.330     $ 20.230      $ 19.110     $ 17.960  

Total Return(2)

     27.14 %(3)       (5.66 )%(3)       14.46 %(3)       14.57     (3.68 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 957      $ 1,461     $ 2,243      $ 2,316     $ 2,925  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

            

Expenses(4)

     2.04 %(3)       2.10 %(3)      2.11 %(3)       2.16     2.06

Net investment loss

     (0.94 )%       (0.93 )%      (1.07 )%       (1.05 )%      (1.22 )% 

Portfolio Turnover

     39      41     65      67     83

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested and do not reflect the effect of sales charges.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.02%, 0.02% and 0.01% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  14   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Financial Highlights — continued

 

 

     Class I  
     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018     2017      2016     2015  

Net asset value — Beginning of year

   $ 20.330      $ 23.170     $ 21.460      $ 19.820     $ 22.670  
Income (Loss) From Operations                                           

Net investment income (loss)(1)

   $ 0.032      $ 0.028     $ (0.010    $ (0.009   $ (0.047

Net realized and unrealized gain (loss)

     5.720        (1.006     3.331        3.066       (0.543

Total income (loss) from operations

   $ 5.752      $ (0.978   $ 3.321      $ 3.057     $ (0.590
Less Distributions                                           

From net realized gain

   $ (1.072    $ (1.862   $ (1.611    $ (1.417   $ (2.260

Total distributions

   $ (1.072    $ (1.862   $ (1.611    $ (1.417   $ (2.260

Net asset value — End of year

   $ 25.010      $ 20.330     $ 23.170      $ 21.460     $ 19.820  

Total Return(2)

     28.40 %(3)       (4.67 )%(3)       15.63 %(3)       15.69     (2.70 )% 
Ratios/Supplemental Data

 

Net assets, end of year (000’s omitted)

   $ 17,357      $ 11,158     $ 11,216      $ 5,954     $ 9,087  

Ratios (as a percentage of average daily net assets):

            

Expenses(4)

     1.03 %(3)       1.10 %(3)      1.11 %(3)       1.16     1.07

Net investment income (loss)

     0.13      0.12     (0.04 )%       (0.05 )%      (0.20 )% 

Portfolio Turnover

     39      41     65      67     83

 

(1) 

Computed using average shares outstanding.

 

(2) 

Returns are historical and are calculated by determining the percentage change in net asset value with all distributions reinvested.

 

(3) 

The administrator reimbursed certain operating expenses (equal to 0.02%, 0.02% and 0.01% of average daily net assets for the years ended December 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively). Absent this reimbursement, total return would be lower.

 

(4) 

Excludes the effect of custody fee credits, if any, of less than 0.005%. Effective September 1, 2015, custody fee credits, which were earned on cash deposit balances, were discontinued by the custodian.

 

  15   See Notes to Financial Statements.


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements

 

 

1  Significant Accounting Policies

Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund (the Fund) is a diversified series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust). The Trust is a Massachusetts business trust registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), as an open-end management investment company. The Fund’s investment objective is to provide growth of capital. The Fund offers three classes of shares. Class A shares are generally sold subject to a sales charge imposed at time of purchase. Class C shares are sold at net asset value and are generally subject to a contingent deferred sales charge (see Note 5). Effective January 25, 2019, Class C shares generally automatically convert to Class A shares ten years after their purchase as described in the Fund’s prospectus. Class I shares are sold at net asset value and are not subject to a sales charge. Each class represents a pro-rata interest in the Fund, but votes separately on class-specific matters and (as noted below) is subject to different expenses. Realized and unrealized gains and losses and net investment income and losses, other than class-specific expenses, are allocated daily to each class of shares based on the relative net assets of each class to the total net assets of the Fund. Each class of shares differs in its distribution plan and certain other class-specific expenses.

The following is a summary of significant accounting policies of the Fund. The policies are in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (U.S. GAAP). The Fund is an investment company and follows accounting and reporting guidance in the Financial Accounting Standards Board (FASB) Accounting Standards Codification Topic 946.

A  Investment Valuation — The following methodologies are used to determine the market value or fair value of investments.

Equity Securities. Equity securities listed on a U.S. securities exchange generally are valued at the last sale or closing price on the day of valuation or, if no sales took place on such date, at the mean between the closing bid and ask prices on the exchange where such securities are principally traded. Equity securities listed on the NASDAQ Global or Global Select Market generally are valued at the NASDAQ official closing price. Unlisted or listed securities for which closing sales prices or closing quotations are not available are valued at the mean between the latest available bid and ask prices.

Affiliated Fund. The Fund may invest in Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC (Cash Reserves Fund), an affiliated investment company managed by Eaton Vance Management (EVM). While Cash Reserves Fund is not a registered money market mutual fund, it conducts all of its investment activities in accordance with the requirements of Rule 2a-7 under the 1940 Act. Investments in Cash Reserves Fund are valued at the closing net asset value per unit on the valuation day. Cash Reserves Fund generally values its investment securities based on available market quotations provided by a third party pricing service.

Fair Valuation. Investments for which valuations or market quotations are not readily available or are deemed unreliable are valued at fair value using methods determined in good faith by or at the direction of the Trustees of the Fund in a manner that most fairly reflects the security’s “fair value”, which is the amount that the Fund might reasonably expect to receive for the security upon its current sale in the ordinary course. Each such determination is based on a consideration of relevant factors, which are likely to vary from one pricing context to another. These factors may include, but are not limited to, the type of security, the existence of any contractual restrictions on the security’s disposition, the price and extent of public trading in similar securities of the issuer or of comparable companies or entities, quotations or relevant information obtained from broker/dealers or other market participants, information obtained from the issuer, analysts, and/or the appropriate stock exchange (for exchange-traded securities), an analysis of the company’s or entity’s financial statements, and an evaluation of the forces that influence the issuer and the market(s) in which the security is purchased and sold.

B  Investment Transactions — Investment transactions for financial statement purposes are accounted for on a trade date basis. Realized gains and losses on investments sold are determined on the basis of identified cost.

C  Income — Dividend income is recorded on the ex-dividend date for dividends received in cash and/or securities. However, if the ex-dividend date has passed, certain dividends from foreign securities are recorded as the Fund is informed of the ex-dividend date. Withholding taxes on foreign dividends and capital gains have been provided for in accordance with the Fund’s understanding of the applicable countries’ tax rules and rates. Distributions from investment companies are recorded as dividend income, capital gains or return of capital based on the nature of the distribution.

D  Federal Taxes — The Fund’s policy is to comply with the provisions of the Internal Revenue Code applicable to regulated investment companies and to distribute to shareholders each year substantially all of its net investment income, and all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Accordingly, no provision for federal income or excise tax is necessary.

As of December 31, 2019, the Fund had no uncertain tax positions that would require financial statement recognition, de-recognition, or disclosure. The Fund files a U.S. federal income tax return annually after its fiscal year-end, which is subject to examination by the Internal Revenue Service for a period of three years from the date of filing.

E  Expenses — The majority of expenses of the Trust are directly identifiable to an individual fund. Expenses which are not readily identifiable to a specific fund are allocated taking into consideration, among other things, the nature and type of expense and the relative size of the funds.

F  Use of Estimates — The preparation of the financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements and the reported amounts of income and expense during the reporting period. Actual results could differ from those estimates.

G  Indemnifications — Under the Trust’s organizational documents, its officers and Trustees may be indemnified against certain liabilities and expenses arising out of the performance of their duties to the Fund. Under Massachusetts law, if certain conditions prevail, shareholders of a Massachusetts business

 

  16  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

trust (such as the Trust) could be deemed to have personal liability for the obligations of the Trust. However, the Trust’s Declaration of Trust contains an express disclaimer of liability on the part of Fund shareholders and the By-laws provide that the Trust shall assume, upon request by the shareholder, the defense on behalf of any Fund shareholders. Moreover, the By-laws also provide for indemnification out of Fund property of any shareholder held personally liable solely by reason of being or having been a shareholder for all loss or expense arising from such liability. Additionally, in the normal course of business, the Fund enters into agreements with service providers that may contain indemnification clauses. The Fund’s maximum exposure under these arrangements is unknown as this would involve future claims that may be made against the Fund that have not yet occurred.

2  Distributions to Shareholders and Income Tax Information

It is the present policy of the Fund to make at least one distribution annually (normally in December) of all or substantially all of its net investment income and to distribute annually all or substantially all of its net realized capital gains. Distributions to shareholders are recorded on the ex-dividend date. Distributions are declared separately for each class of shares. Shareholders may reinvest income and capital gain distributions in additional shares of the same class of the Fund at the net asset value as of the ex-dividend date or, at the election of the shareholder, receive distributions in cash. Distributions to shareholders are determined in accordance with income tax regulations, which may differ from U.S. GAAP. As required by U.S. GAAP, only distributions in excess of tax basis earnings and profits are reported in the financial statements as a return of capital. Permanent differences between book and tax accounting relating to distributions are reclassified to paid-in capital. For tax purposes, distributions from short-term capital gains are considered to be from ordinary income.

The tax character of distributions declared for the years ended December 31, 2019 and December 31, 2018 was as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
      2019      2018  

Ordinary income

   $ 454,418      $ 578,280  

Long-term capital gains

   $ 1,709,806      $ 3,012,490  

During the year ended December 31, 2019, distributable earnings was decreased by $169,441 and paid-in capital was increased by $169,441 primarily due to the Fund’s use of equalization accounting. Tax equalization accounting allows the Fund to treat as a distribution that portion of redemption proceeds representing a redeeming shareholder’s portion of undistributed taxable income and net capital gains. These reclassifications had no effect on the net assets or net asset value per share of the Fund.

As of December 31, 2019, the components of distributable earnings (accumulated loss) on a tax basis were as follows:

 

   

Undistributed ordinary income

   $ 39,689  

Undistributed long-term capital gains

   $ 357,632  

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 12,992,778  

The cost and unrealized appreciation (depreciation) of investments of the Fund at December 31, 2019, as determined on a federal income tax basis, were as follows:

 

Aggregate cost

   $ 38,124,406  

Gross unrealized appreciation

   $ 13,641,522  

Gross unrealized depreciation

     (648,744

Net unrealized appreciation

   $ 12,992,778  

3  Investment Adviser Fee and Other Transactions with Affiliates

The investment adviser fee is earned by Boston Management and Research (BMR), a subsidiary of EVM, as compensation for investment advisory services rendered to the Fund. The fee is computed at an annual rate of 0.625% of the Fund’s average daily net assets and is payable monthly. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund’s investment adviser fee amounted to $299,937. The Fund invests its cash in Cash Reserves Fund. EVM does not currently receive a fee for advisory services provided to Cash Reserves Fund. EVM also serves as administrator of the Fund, but receives no compensation.

 

  17  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

EVM has agreed to reimburse the Fund’s expenses to the extent that total annual operating expenses (relating to ordinary operating expenses only) exceed 1.20%, 1.95% and 0.95% (1.35%, 2.10% and 1.10% prior to October 1, 2019) of the Fund’s average daily net assets for Class A, Class C and Class I, respectively, through April 30, 2021. Thereafter, the reimbursement may be changed or terminated at any time. Pursuant to this agreement, EVM was allocated $10,689 of the Fund’s operating expenses for the year ended December 31, 2019.

EVM provides sub-transfer agency and related services to the Fund pursuant to a Sub-Transfer Agency Support Services Agreement. For the year ended December 31, 2019, EVM earned $25,394 from the Fund pursuant to such agreement, which is included in transfer and dividend disbursing agent fees on the Statement of Operations. The Fund was informed that Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. (EVD), an affiliate of EVM and the Fund’s principal underwriter, received $1,580 as its portion of the sales charge on sales of Class A shares for the year ended December 31, 2019. EVD also received distribution and service fees from Class A and Class C shares (see Note 4).

Trustees and officers of the Fund who are members of EVM’s or BMR’s organizations receive remuneration for their services to the Fund out of the investment adviser fee. Trustees of the Fund who are not affiliated with the investment adviser may elect to defer receipt of all or a percentage of their annual fees in accordance with the terms of the Trustees Deferred Compensation Plan. For the year ended December 31, 2019, no significant amounts have been deferred. Certain officers and Trustees of the Fund are officers of the above organizations.

4  Distribution Plans

The Fund has in effect a distribution plan for Class A shares (Class A Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class A Plan, the Fund pays EVD a distribution and service fee of 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class A shares for distribution services and facilities provided to the Fund by EVD, as well as for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. Distribution and service fees paid or accrued to EVD for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $82,182 for Class A shares.

The Fund also has in effect a distribution plan for Class C shares (Class C Plan) pursuant to Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act. Pursuant to the Class C Plan, the Fund pays EVD amounts equal to 0.75% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to Class C shares for providing ongoing distribution services and facilities to the Fund. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund paid or accrued to EVD $7,413 for Class C shares.

Pursuant to the Class C Plan, the Fund also makes payments of service fees to EVD, financial intermediaries and other persons in amounts equal to 0.25% per annum of its average daily net assets attributable to that class. Service fees paid or accrued are for personal services and/or the maintenance of shareholder accounts. They are separate and distinct from the sales commissions and distribution fees payable to EVD. Service fees paid or accrued for the year ended December 31, 2019 amounted to $2,471 for Class C shares.

Distribution and service fees are subject to the limitations contained in the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Rule 2341(d).

5  Contingent Deferred Sales Charges

A contingent deferred sales charge (CDSC) of 1% generally is imposed on redemptions of Class C shares made within one year of purchase. Class A shares may be subject to a 1% CDSC if redeemed within 18 months of purchase (depending on the circumstances of purchase). Generally, the CDSC is based upon the lower of the net asset value at date of redemption or date of purchase. No charge is levied on shares acquired by reinvestment of dividends or capital gain distributions. For the year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund was informed that EVD received no CDSCs paid by Class A and Class C shareholders.

6  Purchases and Sales of Investments

Purchases and sales of investments, other than short-term obligations, aggregated $18,691,612 and $21,159,309, respectively, for the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

  18  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

7  Shares of Beneficial Interest

The Fund’s Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares of beneficial interest (without par value). Such shares may be issued in a number of different series (such as the Fund) and classes. Transactions in Fund shares were as follows:

 

     Year Ended December 31,  
Class A    2019      2018  

Sales

     39,822        51,058  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     50,177        97,565  

Redemptions

     (197,564      (142,160

Converted from Class C shares

     24,778         

Net increase (decrease)

     (82,787      6,463  
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class C    2019      2018  

Sales

     2,438        8,747  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     2,307        8,172  

Redemptions

     (14,983      (43,525

Converted to Class A shares

     (28,363       

Net decrease

     (38,601      (26,606
     Year Ended December 31,  
Class I    2019      2018  

Sales

     265,744        138,332  

Issued to shareholders electing to receive payments of distributions in Fund shares

     27,498        43,044  

Redemptions

     (148,187      (116,436

Net increase

     145,055        64,940  

At December 31, 2019, an Eaton Vance collective investment trust and donor advised and pooled income funds (established and maintained by a public charity) managed by EVM owned in the aggregate 26.2% of the value of the outstanding shares of the Fund.

8  Line of Credit

The Fund participates with other portfolios and funds managed by EVM and its affiliates in an $800 million unsecured line of credit agreement with a group of banks, which is in effect through October 27, 2020. In connection with the renewal of the agreement on October 29, 2019, funds managed by Calvert Research and Management, an affiliate of EVM, were added as participating funds to the agreement and the borrowing limit was increased from $625 million. Borrowings are made by the Fund solely to facilitate the handling of unusual and/or unanticipated short-term cash requirements. Interest is charged to the Fund based on its borrowings at an amount above either the Eurodollar rate or Federal Funds rate. In addition, a fee computed at an annual rate of 0.15% on the daily unused portion of the line of credit is allocated among the participating portfolios and funds at the end of each quarter. Because the line of credit is not available exclusively to the Fund, it may be unable to borrow some or all of its requested amounts at any particular time. The Fund did not have any significant borrowings or allocated fees during the year ended December 31, 2019.

 

  19  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Notes to Financial Statements — continued

 

 

9  Investments in Affiliated Funds

At December 31, 2019, the value of the Fund’s investment in affiliated funds was $971,029, which represents 1.9% of the Fund’s net assets. Transactions in affiliated funds by the Fund for the year ended December 31, 2019 were as follows:

 

Name of affiliated fund   Value,
beginning
of period
    Purchases     Sales
proceeds
    Net
realized
gain (loss)
    Change in
unrealized
appreciation
(depreciation)
    Value, end
of period
    Dividend
income
    Units, end
of period
 

Short-Term Investments

               

Eaton Vance Cash Reserves Fund, LLC, 1.78%

  $ 353,718     $ 10,605,298     $ (9,987,985   $ (38   $ 36     $ 971,029     $ 9,743       971,029  

10  Fair Value Measurements

Under generally accepted accounting principles for fair value measurements, a three-tier hierarchy to prioritize the assumptions, referred to as inputs, is used in valuation techniques to measure fair value. The three-tier hierarchy of inputs is summarized in the three broad levels listed below.

 

 

Level 1 – quoted prices in active markets for identical investments

 

 

Level 2 – other significant observable inputs (including quoted prices for similar investments, interest rates, prepayment speeds, credit risk, etc.)

 

 

Level 3 – significant unobservable inputs (including a fund’s own assumptions in determining the fair value of investments)

In cases where the inputs used to measure fair value fall in different levels of the fair value hierarchy, the level disclosed is determined based on the lowest level input that is significant to the fair value measurement in its entirety. The inputs or methodology used for valuing securities are not necessarily an indication of the risk associated with investing in those securities.

At December 31, 2019, the hierarchy of inputs used in valuing the Fund’s investments, which are carried at value, were as follows:

 

Asset Description    Level 1      Level 2      Level 3      Total  

Common Stocks

   $ 50,146,155    $      $         —      $ 50,146,155  

Short-Term Investments

            971,029               971,029  

Total Investments

   $ 50,146,155      $ 971,029      $      $ 51,117,184  

 

*

The level classification by major category of investments is the same as the category presentation in the Portfolio of Investments.

 

  20  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

 

 

To the Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust and Shareholders of Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund:

Opinion on the Financial Statements and Financial Highlights

We have audited the accompanying statement of assets and liabilities of Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund (the “Fund”) (one of the funds constituting Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust), including the portfolio of investments, as of December 31, 2019, the related statement of operations for the year then ended, the statements of changes in net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, and the related notes. In our opinion, the financial statements and financial highlights present fairly, in all material respects, the financial position of the Fund as of December 31, 2019, and the results of its operations for the year then ended, the changes in its net assets for each of the two years in the period then ended, and the financial highlights for each of the five years in the period then ended, in conformity with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America.

Basis for Opinion

These financial statements and financial highlights are the responsibility of the Fund’s management. Our responsibility is to express an opinion on the Fund’s financial statements and financial highlights based on our audits. We are a public accounting firm registered with the Public Company Accounting Oversight Board (United States) (PCAOB) and are required to be independent with respect to the Fund in accordance with the U.S. federal securities laws and the applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and the PCAOB.

We conducted our audits in accordance with the standards of the PCAOB. Those standards require that we plan and perform the audit to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements and financial highlights are free of material misstatement, whether due to error or fraud. The Fund is not required to have, nor were we engaged to perform, an audit of its internal control over financial reporting. As part of our audits we are required to obtain an understanding of internal control over financial reporting but not for the purpose of expressing an opinion on the effectiveness of the Fund’s internal control over financial reporting. Accordingly, we express no such opinion.

Our audits included performing procedures to assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial statements and financial highlights, whether due to error or fraud, and performing procedures that respond to those risks. Such procedures included examining, on a test basis, evidence regarding the amounts and disclosures in the financial statements and financial highlights. Our audits also included evaluating the accounting principles used and significant estimates made by management, as well as evaluating the overall presentation of the financial statements and financial highlights. Our procedures included confirmation of securities owned as of December 31, 2019, by correspondence with the custodian and brokers; when replies were not received from brokers, we performed other auditing procedures. We believe that our audits provide a reasonable basis for our opinion.

/s/ Deloitte & Touche LLP

Boston, Massachusetts

February 24, 2020

We have served as the auditor of one or more Eaton Vance investment companies since 1959.

 

  21  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Federal Tax Information (Unaudited)

 

 

The Form 1099-DIV you received in February 2020 showed the tax status of all distributions paid to your account in calendar year 2019. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax adviser with respect to the tax consequences of their investment in the Fund. As required by the Internal Revenue Code and/or regulations, shareholders must be notified regarding the status of qualified dividend income for individuals, the dividends received deduction for corporations and capital gains dividends.

Qualified Dividend Income.  For the fiscal year ended December 31, 2019, the Fund designates approximately $387,475, or up to the maximum amount of such dividends allowable pursuant to the Internal Revenue Code, as qualified dividend income eligible for the reduced tax rate of 15%.

Dividends Received Deduction.  Corporate shareholders are generally entitled to take the dividends received deduction on the portion of the Fund’s dividend distribution that qualifies under tax law. For the Fund’s fiscal 2019 ordinary income dividends, 80.55% qualifies for the corporate dividends received deduction.

Capital Gains Dividends.  The Fund hereby designates as a capital gain dividend with respect to the taxable year ended December 31, 2019, $1,829,435 or, if subsequently determined to be different, the net capital gain of such year.

 

  22  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization

 

 

Fund Management.  The Trustees of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the Trust) are responsible for the overall management and supervision of the Trust’s affairs. The Trustees and officers of the Trust are listed below. Except as indicated, each individual has held the office shown or other offices in the same company for the last five years. Trustees and officers of the Trust hold indefinite terms of office. The “noninterested Trustees” consist of those Trustees who are not “interested persons” of the Trust, as that term is defined under the 1940 Act. The business address of each Trustee and officer is Two International Place, Boston, Massachusetts 02110. As used below, “EVC” refers to Eaton Vance Corp., “EV” refers to Eaton Vance, Inc., “EVM” refers to Eaton Vance Management, “BMR” refers to Boston Management and Research and “EVD” refers to Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc. EVC and EV are the corporate parent and trustee, respectively, of EVM and BMR. EVD is the Fund’s principal underwriter and a wholly-owned subsidiary of EVC. Each officer affiliated with Eaton Vance may hold a position with other Eaton Vance affiliates that is comparable to his or her position with EVM listed below. Each Trustee oversees 159 portfolios in the Eaton Vance Complex (including all master and feeder funds in a master feeder structure). Each officer serves as an officer of certain other Eaton Vance funds. Each Trustee and officer serves until his or her successor is elected.

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the
Trust

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Interested Trustee

Thomas E. Faust Jr.

1958

   Trustee      2007     

Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVC, Director and President of EV, Chief Executive Officer and President of EVM and BMR, and Director of EVD. Trustee and/or officer of 159 registered investment companies. Mr. Faust is an interested person because of his positions with EVM, BMR, EVD, EVC and EV, which are affiliates of the Trust.

Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of EVC and Hexavest Inc. (investment management firm).

Noninterested Trustees

Mark R. Fetting

1954

   Trustee      2016     

Private investor. Formerly held various positions at Legg Mason, Inc. (investment management firm) (2000-2012), including President, Chief Executive Officer, Director and Chairman (2008-2012), Senior Executive Vice President (2004-2008) and Executive Vice President (2001-2004). Formerly, President of Legg Mason family of funds (2001-2008). Formerly, Division President and Senior Officer of Prudential Financial Group, Inc. and related companies (investment management firm) (1991-2000).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Cynthia E. Frost

1961

   Trustee      2014     

Private investor. Formerly, Chief Investment Officer of Brown University (university endowment) (2000-2012). Formerly, Portfolio Strategist for Duke Management Company (university endowment manager) (1995-2000). Formerly, Managing Director, Cambridge Associates (investment consulting company) (1989-1995). Formerly, Consultant, Bain and Company (management consulting firm) (1987-1989). Formerly, Senior Equity Analyst, BA Investment Management Company (1983-1985).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

George J. Gorman

1952

   Trustee      2014     

Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (consulting firm). Formerly, Senior Partner at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm) (1974-2009).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Trustee of the BofA Funds Series Trust (11 funds) (2011-2014) and of the Ashmore Funds (9 funds) (2010-2014).

Valerie A. Mosley

1960

   Trustee      2014     

Chairwoman and Chief Executive Officer of Valmo Ventures (a consulting and investment firm). Former Partner and Senior Vice President, Portfolio Manager and Investment Strategist at Wellington Management Company, LLP (investment management firm) (1992-2012). Former Chief Investment Officer, PG Corbin Asset Management (1990-1992). Formerly worked in institutional corporate bond sales at Kidder Peabody (1986-1990).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of Envestnet, Inc. (provider of intelligent systems for wealth management and financial wellness) (since 2018). Director of Dynex Capital, Inc. (mortgage REIT) (since 2013).

 

  23  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth   

Position(s)

with the
Trust

    

Trustee

Since(1)

    

Principal Occupation(s) and Directorships

During Past Five Years and Other Relevant Experience

Noninterested Trustees (continued)

William H. Park

1947

   Chairperson of the Board and Trustee     

2016 (Chairperson)

2003 (Trustee)

    

Private investor. Formerly, Consultant (management and transactional) (2012-2014). Formerly, Chief Financial Officer, Aveon Group L.P. (investment management firm) (2010-2011). Formerly, Vice Chairman, Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company) (2006-2010). Formerly, President and Chief Executive Officer, Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm) (2002-2005). Formerly, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, United Asset Management Corporation (investment management firm) (1982-2001). Formerly, Senior Manager, Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm) (1972-1981).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Helen Frame Peters

1948

   Trustee      2008     

Professor of Finance, Carroll School of Management, Boston College. Formerly, Dean, Carroll School of Management, Boston College (2000-2002). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Fixed Income, Scudder Kemper Investments (investment management firm) (1998-1999). Formerly, Chief Investment Officer, Equity and Fixed Income, Colonial Management Associates (investment management firm) (1991-1998).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

Keith Quinton

1958

   Trustee      2018     

Independent Investment Committee Member at New Hampshire Retirement System (since 2017). Advisory Committee member at Northfield Information Services, Inc. (risk management analytics provider) (since 2016). Formerly, Portfolio Manager and Senior Quantitative Analyst at Fidelity Investments (investment management firm) (2001-2014).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of New Hampshire Municipal Bond Bank (since 2016).

Marcus L. Smith

1966

   Trustee      2018     

Member of Posse Boston Advisory Board (foundation) (since 2015). Trustee at University of Mount Union (since 2008). Formerly, Portfolio Manager at MFS Investment Management (investment management firm) (1994-2017).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Director of MSCI Inc. (global provider of investment decision support tools) (since 2017). Formerly, Director of DCT Industrial Trust Inc. (logistics real estate company) (2017-2018).

Susan J. Sutherland

1957

   Trustee      2015     

Private investor. Formerly, Associate, Counsel and Partner at Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP (law firm) (1982-2013).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. Formerly, Director of Montpelier Re Holdings Ltd. (global provider of customized insurance and reinsurance products) (2013-2015).

Scott E. Wennerholm

1959

   Trustee      2016     

Formerly, Trustee at Wheelock College (postsecondary institution) (2012-2018). Formerly, Consultant at GF Parish Group (executive recruiting firm) (2016-2017). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Executive Vice President at BNY Mellon Asset Management (investment management firm) (2005-2011). Formerly, Chief Operating Officer and Chief Financial Officer at Natixis Global Asset Management (investment management firm) (1997-2004). Formerly, Vice President at Fidelity Investments Institutional Services (investment management firm) (1994-1997).

Other Directorships in the Last Five Years. None.

 

Name and Year of Birth    Position(s)
with the
Trust
     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees

Payson F. Swaffield

1956

   President      2003      Vice President and Chief Income Investment Officer of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of Calvert Research and Management (“CRM”).

Maureen A. Gemma

1960

   Vice President, Secretary and Chief Legal Officer      2005      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

 

  24  


Eaton Vance

Special Equities Fund

December 31, 2019

 

Management and Organization — continued

 

 

Name and Year of Birth    Position(s)
with the
Trust
     Officer
Since
(2)
    

Principal Occupation(s)

During Past Five Years

Principal Officers who are not Trustees (continued)

James F. Kirchner

1967

   Treasurer      2007      Vice President of EVM and BMR. Also Vice President of CRM.

Richard F. Froio

1968

   Chief Compliance Officer      2017      Vice President of EVM and BMR since 2017. Formerly Deputy Chief Compliance Officer (Adviser/Funds) and Chief Compliance Officer (Distribution) at PIMCO (2012-2017) and Managing Director at BlackRock/Barclays Global Investors (2009-2012).

 

(1) 

Year first appointed to serve as Trustee for a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Each Trustee has served continuously since appointment unless indicated otherwise.

(2) 

Year first elected to serve as officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds when the officer has served continuously. Otherwise, year of most recent election as an officer of a fund in the Eaton Vance family of funds. Titles may have changed since initial election.

The SAI for the Fund includes additional information about the Trustees and officers of the Fund and can be obtained without charge on Eaton Vance’s website at www.eatonvance.com or by calling 1-800-262-1122.

 

  25  


Eaton Vance Funds

 

IMPORTANT NOTICES

 

 

Privacy.  The Eaton Vance organization is committed to ensuring your financial privacy. Each entity listed below has adopted a privacy policy and procedures (“Privacy Program”) Eaton Vance believes is reasonably designed to protect your personal information and to govern when and with whom Eaton Vance may share your personal information.

 

 

At the time of opening an account, Eaton Vance generally requires you to provide us with certain information such as name, address, social security number, tax status, account numbers, and account balances. This information is necessary for us to both open an account for you and to allow us to satisfy legal requirements such as applicable anti-money laundering reviews and know-your-customer requirements.

 

 

On an ongoing basis, in the normal course of servicing your account, Eaton Vance may share your information with unaffiliated third parties that perform various services for Eaton Vance and/or your account. These third parties include transfer agents, custodians, broker/dealers and our professional advisers, including auditors, accountants, and legal counsel. Eaton Vance may additionally share your personal information with our affiliates.

 

 

We believe our Privacy Program is reasonably designed to protect the confidentiality of your personal information and to prevent unauthorized access to that information.

 

 

We reserve the right to change our Privacy Program at any time upon proper notification to you. You may want to review our Privacy Program periodically for changes by accessing the link on our homepage: www.eatonvance.com.

Our pledge of protecting your personal information applies to the following entities within the Eaton Vance organization: the Eaton Vance Family of Funds, Eaton Vance Management, Eaton Vance Investment Counsel, Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc., Eaton Vance Trust Company, Eaton Vance Management (International) Limited, Eaton Vance Advisers International Limited, Eaton Vance Global Advisors Limited, Eaton Vance Management’s Real Estate Investment Group, Boston Management and Research, Calvert Research and Management, and Calvert Funds. This Privacy Notice supersedes all previously issued privacy disclosures. For more information about our Privacy Program or about how your personal information may be used, please call 1-800-262-1122.

Delivery of Shareholder Documents.  The Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) permits funds to deliver only one copy of shareholder documents, including prospectuses, proxy statements and shareholder reports, to fund investors with multiple accounts at the same residential or post office box address. This practice is often called “householding” and it helps eliminate duplicate mailings to shareholders. Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, may household the mailing of your documents indefinitely unless you instruct Eaton Vance, or your financial intermediary, otherwise. If you would prefer that your Eaton Vance documents not be householded, please contact Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122, or contact your financial intermediary. Your instructions that householding not apply to delivery of your Eaton Vance documents will be effective within 30 days of receipt by Eaton Vance or your financial intermediary.

Portfolio Holdings.  Each Eaton Vance Fund and its underlying Portfolio(s) (if applicable) files a schedule of portfolio holdings on Part F to Form N-PORT with the SEC for the first and third quarters of each fiscal year. The Form N-PORT will be available on the Eaton Vance website at www.eatonvance.com, by calling Eaton Vance at 1-800-262-1122 or in the EDGAR database on the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

Proxy Voting.  From time to time, funds are required to vote proxies related to the securities held by the funds. The Eaton Vance Funds or their underlying Portfolios (if applicable) vote proxies according to a set of policies and procedures approved by the Funds’ and Portfolios’ Boards. You may obtain a description of these policies and procedures and information on how the Funds or Portfolios voted proxies relating to portfolio securities during the most recent 12-month period ended June 30, without charge, upon request, by calling 1-800-262-1122 and by accessing the SEC’s website at www.sec.gov.

 

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Investment Adviser

Boston Management and Research

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Administrator

Eaton Vance Management

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

Principal Underwriter*

Eaton Vance Distributors, Inc.

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

(617) 482-8260

Custodian

State Street Bank and Trust Company

State Street Financial Center, One Lincoln Street

Boston, MA 02111

Transfer Agent

BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc.

Attn: Eaton Vance Funds

P.O. Box 9653

Providence, RI 02940-9653

(800) 262-1122

Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm

Deloitte & Touche LLP

200 Berkeley Street

Boston, MA 02116-5022

Fund Offices

Two International Place

Boston, MA 02110

 
*

FINRA BrokerCheck.  Investors may check the background of their Investment Professional by contacting the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority (FINRA). FINRA BrokerCheck is a free tool to help investors check the professional background of current and former FINRA-registered securities firms and brokers. FINRA BrokerCheck is available by calling 1-800-289-9999 and at www.FINRA.org. The FINRA BrokerCheck brochure describing this program is available to investors at www.FINRA.org.


LOGO

 

LOGO

172    12.31.19


Item 2. Code of Ethics

The registrant has adopted a code of ethics applicable to its Principal Executive Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer. The registrant undertakes to provide a copy of such code of ethics to any person upon request, without charge, by calling 1-800-262-1122. The registrant has not amended the code of ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the period covered by this report. The registrant has not granted any waiver, including an implicit waiver, from a provision of the code of ethics as described in Form N-CSR during the period covered by this report.

Item 3. Audit Committee Financial Expert

The registrant’s Board has designated George J. Gorman and William H. Park, each an independent trustee, as audit committee financial experts. Mr. Gorman is a certified public accountant who is the Principal at George J. Gorman LLC (a consulting firm). Previously, Mr. Gorman served in various capacities at Ernst & Young LLP (a registered public accounting firm), including as Senior Partner. Mr. Gorman also has experience serving as an independent trustee and audit committee financial expert of other mutual fund complexes. Mr. Park is a certified public accountant who is a private investor. Previously, he served as a consultant, as the Chief Financial Officer of Aveon Group, L.P. (an investment management firm), as the Vice Chairman of Commercial Industrial Finance Corp. (specialty finance company), as President and Chief Executive Officer of Prizm Capital Management, LLC (investment management firm), as Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer of United Asset Management Corporation (an institutional investment management firm) and as a Senior Manager at Price Waterhouse (now PricewaterhouseCoopers) (a registered public accounting firm).

Item 4. Principal Accountant Fees and Services

Eaton Vance Balanced Fund, Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund, Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund, Eaton Vance Greater India Fund, Eaton Vance Growth Fund, Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund, Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund, Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund and Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund (the “Fund(s)”) are series of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the “Trust”), a Massachusetts business trust, which, including the Funds, contains a total of 11 series (the “Series”). The Trust is registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940 as an open-end management investment company. This Form N-CSR relates to the Funds’ annual reports.

(a)-(d)

The following tables present the aggregate fees billed to each Fund for the Fund’s fiscal years ended December 31, 2018 and December 31, 2019 by the registrant’s principal accountant, Deloitte & Touche LLP (“D&T”), for professional services rendered for the audit of the Fund’s annual financial statements and fees billed for other services rendered by D&T during such periods.

 

Eaton Vance Balanced Fund
Fiscal Years Ended

   12/31/18      12/31/19  

Audit Fees

   $ 24,140      $ 24,450  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 17,401      $ 17,043  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 41,541      $ 41,493  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


Eaton Vance Core Bond Fund

Fiscal Years Ended

   12/31/18      12/31/19  

Audit Fees

   $ 15,050      $ 15,250  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 12,101      $ 11,683  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 27,151      $ 26,933  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Dividend Builder Fund

Fiscal Years Ended

   12/31/18      12/31/19  

Audit Fees

   $ 47,020      $ 47,650  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 15,790      $ 15,336  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 62,810      $ 62,986  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Greater India Fund

Fiscal Years Ended

   12/31/18      12/31/19  

Audit Fees

   $ 16,150      $ 16,350  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 9,989      $ 11,316  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 26,139      $ 27,666  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


Eaton Vance Growth Fund

Fiscal Years Ended

   12/31/18      12/31/19  

Audit Fees

   $ 34,980      $ 35,450  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 13,719      $ 13,850  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 48,699      $ 49,300  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Large-Cap Value Fund

Fiscal Years Ended

   12/31/18      12/31/19  

Audit Fees

   $ 48,270      $ 48,950  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 16,545      $ 16,174  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 64,815      $ 65,124  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Real Estate Fund

Fiscal Years Ended

   12/31/18      12/31/19  

Audit Fees

   $ 32,380      $ 32,850  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 12,842      $ 12,415  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 45,222      $ 45,265  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

Eaton Vance Small-Cap Fund

Fiscal Years Ended

   12/31/18      12/31/19  

Audit Fees

   $ 32,640      $ 33,050  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 11,740      $ 11,297  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 44,380      $ 44,347  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 


Eaton Vance Special Equities Fund

Fiscal Years Ended

   12/31/18      12/31/19  

Audit Fees

   $ 29,060      $ 29,450  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 11,190      $ 10,738  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 40,250      $ 40,188  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(1) 

Audit-related fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of financial statements and are not reported under the category of audit fees.

(2) 

Tax fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant relating to tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning and specifically include fees for tax return preparation and other related tax compliance/planning matters.

(3)

All other fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant other than audit, audit-related, and tax services.

The various Series comprising the Trust have differing fiscal year ends (August 31, October 31, November 30 or December 31). The following table presents the aggregate audit, audit-related, tax, and other fees billed to all of the Series in the Trust by D&T for the last two fiscal years of each Series.

 

Fiscal Years Ended*

   8/31/18      10/31/18      11/30/18      12/31/18      8/31/19      10/31/19      12/31/19  

Audit Fees

   $ 37,050      $ 127,240      $ 27,380      $ 279,690      $ 37,550      $ 104,800      $ 283,450  

Audit-Related Fees(1)

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0  

Tax Fees(2)

   $ 10,000      $ 72,001      $ 10,761      $ 121,317      $ 9,550      $ 32,002      $ 119,852  

All Other Fees(3)

   $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0      $ 0  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total

   $ 47,050      $ 199,241      $ 38,141      $ 401,007      $ 47,100      $ 136,802      $ 403,302  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

*

Information is not presented for the fiscal period ended 11/30/19 as no Series in the Trust with such fiscal period end was in operation during such period.

(1) 

Audit-related fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for assurance and related services that are reasonably related to the performance of the audit of financial statements and are not reported under the category of audit fees.

(2) 

Tax fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for professional services rendered by the principal accountant relating to tax compliance, tax advice, and tax planning and specifically include fees for tax return preparation and other related tax compliance/planning matters.

(3) 

All other fees consist of the aggregate fees billed for products and services provided by the principal accountant other than audit, audit-related, and tax services.

(e)(1) The registrant’s audit committee has adopted policies and procedures relating to the pre-approval of services provided by the registrant’s principal accountant (the “Pre-Approval Policies”). The Pre-Approval


Policies establish a framework intended to assist the audit committee in the proper discharge of its pre-approval responsibilities. As a general matter, the Pre-Approval Policies (i) specify certain types of audit, audit-related, tax, and other services determined to be pre-approved by the audit committee; and (ii) delineate specific procedures governing the mechanics of the pre-approval process, including the approval and monitoring of audit and non-audit service fees. Unless a service is specifically pre-approved under the Pre-Approval Policies, it must be separately pre-approved by the audit committee.

The Pre-Approval Policies and the types of audit and non-audit services pre-approved therein must be reviewed and ratified by the registrant’s audit committee at least annually. The registrant’s audit committee maintains full responsibility for the appointment, compensation, and oversight of the work of the registrant’s principal accountant.

(e)(2) No services described in paragraphs (b)-(d) above were approved by the registrant’s audit committee pursuant to the “de minimis exception” set forth in Rule 2-01 (c)(7)(i)(C) of Regulation S-X.

(f) Not applicable.

(g) The following table presents (i) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed for services rendered to all of the Series in the Trust by D&T for the last two fiscal years of each Series; and (ii) the aggregate non-audit fees (i.e., fees for audit-related, tax, and other services) billed to the Eaton Vance organization by D&T for the last two fiscal years of each Series.

 

Fiscal Years Ended*

   8/31/18      10/31/18      11/30/18      12/31/18      8/31/19      10/31/19      12/31/19  

Registrant(1)

   $ 10,000      $ 72,001      $ 10,761      $ 121,317      $ 9,550      $ 32,002      $ 119,852  

Eaton Vance(2)

   $ 74,355      $ 126,485      $ 126,485      $ 126,485      $ 8,000      $ 59,903      $ 59,903  

 

*

Information is not presented for the fiscal period ended 11/30/19 as no Series in the Trust with such fiscal period end was in operation during such period.

(1)

Includes all of the Series of the Trust. During the fiscal years reported above, certain of the Funds were “feeder” funds in a “master-feeder” fund structure or funds of funds.

(2)

Various subsidiaries of Eaton Vance Corp. act in either an investment advisory and/or service provider capacity with respect to the Series and/or their respective “master” funds (if applicable).

(h) The registrant’s audit committee has considered whether the provision by the registrant’s principal accountant of non-audit services to the registrant’s investment adviser and any entity controlling, controlled by, or under common control with the adviser that provides ongoing services to the registrant that were not pre-approved pursuant to Rule 2-01(c)(7)(ii) of Regulation S-X is compatible with maintaining the principal accountant’s independence.

Item 5. Audit Committee of Listed Registrants

Not applicable.

Item 6. Schedule of Investments

Please see schedule of investments contained in the Report to Stockholders included under Item 1 of this Form N-CSR.


Item 7. Disclosure of Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 8. Portfolio Managers of Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 9. Purchases of Equity Securities by Closed-End Management Investment Company and Affiliated Purchasers

Not applicable.

Item 10. Submission of Matters to a Vote of Security Holders

No material changes.

Item 11. Controls and Procedures

(a) It is the conclusion of the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer that the effectiveness of the registrant’s current disclosure controls and procedures (such disclosure controls and procedures having been evaluated within 90 days of the date of this filing) provide reasonable assurance that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been recorded, processed, summarized and reported within the time period specified in the Commission’s rules and forms and that the information required to be disclosed by the registrant has been accumulated and communicated to the registrant’s principal executive officer and principal financial officer in order to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosure.

(b) There have been no changes in the registrant’s internal controls over financial reporting during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

Item 12. Disclosure of Securities Lending Activities for Closed-End Management Investment Companies

Not applicable.

Item 13. Exhibits

 

(a)(1)

   Registrant’s Code of Ethics – Not applicable (please see Item 2).

(a)(2)(i)

   Treasurer’s Section 302 certification.

(a)(2)(ii)

   President’s Section 302 certification.

(b)

   Combined Section 906 certification.


Signatures

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust

 

By:  

/s/ Payson F. Swaffield

  Payson F. Swaffield
  President

Date:    February 24, 2020

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, this report has been signed below by the following persons on behalf of the registrant and in the capacities and on the dates indicated.

 

By:  

/s/ James F. Kirchner

  James F. Kirchner
  Treasurer

Date:    February 24, 2020

 

By:  

/s/ Payson F. Swaffield

  Payson F. Swaffield
  President

Date:    February 24, 2020

EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST

FORM N-CSR

Exhibit 13(a)(2)(i)

CERTIFICATION

I, James F. Kirchner, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.     The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

(b)    Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: February 24, 2020      

/s/ James F. Kirchner

      James F. Kirchner
      Treasurer


EATON VANCE SPECIAL INVESTMENT TRUST

FORM N-CSR

Exhibit 13(a)(2)(ii)

CERTIFICATION

I, Payson F. Swaffield, certify that:

1.    I have reviewed this report on Form N-CSR of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust;

2.    Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

3.    Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations, changes in net assets, and cash flows (if the financial statements are required to include a statement of cash flows) of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

4.    The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Rule 30a-3(c) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Rule 30a-3(d) under the Investment Company Act of 1940) for the registrant and have:

(a)    Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

(b)    Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

(c)    Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant’s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of a date within 90 days prior to the filing date of this report based on such evaluation; and

(d)    Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the period covered by this report that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting; and

5.    The registrant’s other certifying officer(s) and I have disclosed to the registrant’s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant’s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

(a)    All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant’s ability to record, process, summarize, and report financial information; and

(b)    Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant’s internal control over financial reporting.

 

Date: February 24, 2020      

/s/ Payson F. Swaffield

      Payson F. Swaffield
      President

Form N-CSR Item 13(b) Exhibit

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION 1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION 906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

The undersigned hereby certify in their capacity as Treasurer and President, respectively, of Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust (the “Trust”) that:

 

  (a)

the Annual Report of the Trust on Form N-CSR for the period ended December 31, 2019 (the “Report”) fully complies with the requirements of Section 13(a) or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended; and

 

  (b)

the information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and the results of operations of the Trust for such period.

A signed original of this written statement required by section 906 has been provided to the Trust and will be retained by the Trust and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

Eaton Vance Special Investment Trust

Date: February 24, 2020

 

/s/ James F. Kirchner

James F. Kirchner
Treasurer

Date: February 24, 2020

 

/s/ Payson F. Swaffield

Payson F. Swaffield
President