As filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on February 28, 2020
1933 Act Registration No. 333-84639
1940 Act Registration No. 811-09521
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM N-1A
REGISTRATION STATEMENT | ||||
UNDER | ||||
THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933 | ☒ | |||
Pre-Effective Amendment No. | ☐ | |||
Post-Effective Amendment No. 216 | ☒ | |||
REGISTRATION STATEMENT | ||||
UNDER | ||||
THE INVESTMENT COMPANY ACT OF 1940 | ☒ | |||
Amendment No. 219 | ☒ |
AMG FUNDS
(Exact name of registrant as specified in charter)
600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
(Address of principal executive offices)
Registrants telephone number, including area code: (800) 548-4539
Gregory C. Davis
Ropes & Gray LLP
Three Embarcadero Center
San Francisco, CA 94111-4006
(Name and address of agent for service)
It is proposed that this filing will become effective:
☐ |
immediately upon filing pursuant to paragraph (b) |
☒ |
on March 1, 2020 pursuant to paragraph (b) |
☐ |
60 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a) |
☐ |
on (date) pursuant to paragraph (a) |
☐ |
75 days after filing pursuant to paragraph (a)(2) |
☐ |
on (date) pursuant to (a)(2) of rule 485 |
If appropriate, check the following box:
☐ |
This post-effective amendment designates a new effective date for a previously filed post- effective amendment. |
The Amendment relates solely to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund (formerly AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund (formerly AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Wealth Equity Fund), each a series of AMG Funds (the Trust). The Amendment does not supersede or amend any disclosure in the Trusts Registration Statement relating to any other series of the Trust.
Class N: TLEVX | Class I: TLESX | Class Z: TLEIX |
Class N: TYWVX | Class I: TYWSX | Class Z: TYWIX |
3-10 |
Summary
of The Funds
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund |
30-33 |
Financial
Highlights
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund |
AMG Funds | 1 |
Class N | Class I | Class Z | |
Management Fee | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | None | None |
Other Expenses1 | 0.49% | 0.41% | 0.34% |
Acquired Fund Fees and Expenses | 0.02% | 0.02% | 0.02% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses2 | 1.31% | 0.98% | 0.91% |
Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements3,4 | (0.04)% | (0.04)% | (0.04)% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements3,4 | 1.27% | 0.94% | 0.87% |
1 | Expense information has been restated to reflect current fees. |
2 | The Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses do not correlate to the ratios of expenses to average net assets in the Financial Highlights section of this Prospectus, which reflect only the operating expenses of the Fund and do not include fees and expenses of any acquired fund. |
3 | AMG Funds LLC (the “Investment Manager”) has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2021, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in order to limit Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.87% of the Fund’s average daily net assets (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the “Expense Cap”), subject to later reimbursement by the Fund in certain circumstances. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund, provided that such repayment would not cause the Fund’s Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses After Fee Waiver and Expense Reimbursements (exclusive of the items noted in the parenthetical above) to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the Expense Cap in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement between the |
Investment Manager and the AMG Funds Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund. | |
4 | The Investment Manager has contractually agreed, through at least March 1, 2021, to waive management fees and/or pay or reimburse the Fund’s expenses in an amount that is equal to the fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund as a result of investment in shares of one or more acquired funds. The contractual expense limitation may only be terminated in the event the Investment Manager or a successor ceases to be the investment manager of the Fund or a successor fund, by mutual agreement among the Investment Manager, GW&K Investment Management, LLC (“GW&K” or the “Subadviser”) and the AMG Funds Board of Trustees or in the event of the Fund’s liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Class N | $129 | $411 | $714 | $1,575 |
Class I | $ 96 | $308 | $538 | $1,198 |
Class Z | $ 89 | $286 | $500 | $1,116 |
AMG Funds | 3 |
— | Earnings growth should drive equity returns over the long term. |
— | Early-stage and traditional growth companies should provide the greatest opportunity. |
— | Risk management with respect to the Fund’s portfolio should focus on avoiding losing money, rather than minimizing tracking error against the benchmark. |
— | A disciplined investment process requires consistently identifying opportunities, evaluating potential returns and responding with timely buy/sell decisions. |
4 | AMG Funds |
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/2019 | |||
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund | 1 Year | 5 Years |
Since
Inception |
Class
I
Return Before Taxes |
22.33% | 6.01% | 1.23% 2 |
Class
I
Return After Taxes on Distributions1 |
19.52% | 5.46% | 0.91% 2 |
Class
I
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares1 |
13.96% | 4.68% | 0.98% 2 |
Class
N
Return Before Taxes |
21.98% | 5.64% | 1.91% 3 |
Class
Z
Return Before Taxes |
22.59% | 6.14% | 1.34% 2 |
MSCI
Emerging Markets Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) |
18.42% | 5.61% | 2.53% 2 |
MSCI
Emerging Markets Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) |
18.42% | 5.61% | 2.96% 3 |
1 | The performance information shown is for Class I shares of the Fund, which is a change from last period. The performance information presented was changed to standardized performance information provided to investors across the AMG Funds Family of Funds. |
2 | Class I, Class Z and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class I and Class Z shares on March 1, 2011. |
3 | Class N and Index performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund's Class N shares on March 1, 2012. |
AMG Funds | 5 |
6 | AMG Funds |
Class N | Class I | Class Z | |
Management Fee | 0.55% | 0.55% | 0.55% |
Distribution and Service (12b-1) Fees | 0.25% | None | None |
Other Expenses1 | 0.54% | 0.50% | 0.39% |
Total Annual Fund Operating Expenses | 1.34% | 1.05% | 0.94% |
1 | Expense information has been restated to reflect current fees. |
1 Year | 3 Years | 5 Years | 10 Years | |
Class N | $136 | $425 | $734 | $1,613 |
Class I | $107 | $334 | $579 | $1,283 |
Class Z | $ 96 | $300 | $520 | $1,155 |
— | Earnings growth should drive equity returns over the long term. |
— | Early-stage and traditional growth companies should provide the greatest opportunity. |
— | Risk management with respect to the Fund’s portfolio should focus on avoiding losing money, rather than minimizing tracking error against the benchmark. |
AMG Funds | 7 |
— | A disciplined investment process requires consistently identifying opportunities, evaluating potential returns and responding with timely buy/sell decisions. |
8 | AMG Funds |
Average Annual Total Returns as of 12/31/19 | ||
AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund | 1 Year |
Since
Inception2 |
Class
N
Return Before Taxes |
28.14% | 7.57% |
Class
N
Return After Taxes on Distributions1 |
27.41% | 6.93% |
Class
N
Return After Taxes on Distributions and Sale of Fund Shares1 |
17.32% | 5.96% |
Class
I
Return Before Taxes |
28.49% | 7.86% |
Class
Z
Return Before Taxes |
28.72% | 7.96% |
MSCI
Emerging Markets Index
(reflects no deduction for fees, expenses, or taxes) |
18.42% | 5.62% |
1 | The performance information shown is for Class N shares of the Fund, which is a change from last period. The performance information presented was changed to standardize performance information provided to investors across the AMG Funds Family of Funds. |
2 | Performance shown reflects performance since the inception date of the Fund on March 19, 2015. |
AMG Funds | 9 |
10 | AMG Funds |
• | Looking to gain exposure to emerging market equity investments. |
• | Seeking potential capital appreciation. |
• | Willing to accept volatility of returns. |
AMG Funds | 11 |
12 | AMG Funds |
• | Looking to gain exposure to companies exposed to or potentially exposed to emerging markets. |
• | Seeking potential capital appreciation. |
• | Willing to accept volatility of returns. |
AMG Funds | 13 |
14 | AMG Funds |
AMG Funds | 15 |
16 | AMG Funds |
AMG Funds | 17 |
18 | AMG Funds |
AMG Funds | 19 |
• | The amount you plan to invest; |
• | Your investment objectives; and |
• | The expenses and charges for the class. |
20 | AMG Funds |
AMG Funds | 21 |
22 | AMG Funds |
If you wish to open an account and buy shares*... | If you wish to add shares to your account*... | If you wish to sell shares* †... | |
Through your registered investment professional: | Contact your investment advisor or other investment professional | Send any additional monies to your investment professional to the address on your account statement | Contact your investment advisor or other investment professional |
On
your own:
By mail |
Complete
the account application, then mail the application and a check payable to AMG Funds to:
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. PO Box 9769 Providence, RI 02940-9769 |
Send
a letter of instruction and a check payable to AMG Funds to:
c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. PO Box 9769 Providence, RI 02940-9769 Fund name on your check) |
Write
a letter of instruction containing:
• Dollar amount or number of shares you wish to sell • Your name • Your account number • Signatures of all account owners Mail your letter to: c/o BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. PO Box 9769 Providence, RI 02940-9769 |
By telephone | Not available | If your account has already been established, call the transfer agent at 800.548.4539 | If you elected telephone redemption privileges on your account application, call us at 800.548.4539. Telephone redemptions are available only for redemptions of less than $100,000 for Class N shares and Class I shares and less than $250,000 for Class Z shares. |
Over the Internet | Not available |
If
your account has already been established and ACH banking instructions are on file, go to our website at
www.amgfunds.com |
Go
to our website at
www.amgfunds.com. Internet redemptions are available only for redemptions of less than $100,000 for Class N shares and Class I shares and less than $250,000 for Class Z shares. |
By bank wire | Call us at 800.548.4539 for instructions | Call us at 800.548.4539 for instructions | Available if bank wire instructions are on file for your account |
* | Please indicate which class of shares you are buying or selling when you place your order. |
† | Redemptions of $100,000 and over for Class N and Class I shares and $250,000 and over for Class Z shares require a medallion signature guarantee. A medallion guarantee is a signature guarantee by a guarantor institution such as a bank, broker-dealer, credit union, national securities exchange, or savings association that is a recognized participant of the Securities Transfer Agents Medallion Program (STAMP) 2000. Telephone and Internet redemptions are available only for redemptions that are below $100,000 for Class N and Class I shares and below $250,000 for Class Z shares. |
AMG Funds | 23 |
Share Class | Initial Investment | Additional Investments |
Class N: | ||
• Regular Accounts | $2,000 | $100 |
• Individual Retirement Accounts | $1,000 | $100 |
Class I: | ||
• Regular Accounts | $100,000 | $100 |
• Individual Retirement Accounts | $25,000 | $100 |
Class Z: | ||
• Regular Accounts | $5,000,000 | $1,000 |
• Individual Retirement Accounts (Direct Accounts Only) | $50,000 | $1,000 |
• | Redeem your account if its value (i) falls below $500 for Class N shares or $25,000 for Class I or Class Z shares due to redemptions you make, or (ii) is below $100, but, in each case, not until after a Fund gives you at least 60 days’ notice and the opportunity to increase your account balance to the minimum account balance amount; |
• | Suspend sales or postpone payments when the NYSE is closed for any reason other than its usual weekend or holiday closings or when the SEC restricts trading; |
• | Change the minimum required investment amounts; |
• | Refuse a buy order for any reason, including your failure to submit a properly completed application; |
• | Refuse an exchange request for any person or group if a Fund determines that the request could adversely affect the Fund, for example, if the person or group has engaged in excessive trading. (See “Limiting Trades” below) This determination is at the Investment Manager’s discretion, based on a case-by-case |
24 | AMG Funds |
analysis consistent with the Trust’s policies and procedures regarding frequent trading; and | |
• | End or limit the exchange privilege policy after giving 60 days’ advance notice to shareholders or impose fees in connection with exchanges or sales. |
AMG Funds | 25 |
• | Except for the JPMorgan Fund, the value of the shares exchanged must meet the minimum purchase requirement of the fund and class for which you are exchanging them. There is no minimum purchase requirement to exchange into the JPMorgan Fund if you exchange out of a Fund through the Investment Manager. |
• | There is no fee associated with the exchange privilege; however, your exchange may result in tax consequences. For details, see “Taxability of Transactions” below. |
• | The exchange privilege is available only if both of the accounts involved in the transaction are registered in the same name with the same address and taxpayer identification number. |
26 | AMG Funds |
• | Distributions from the sale of investments that a Fund owns or is considered to have owned for more than one year and that are properly reported by the Fund as capital gain dividends are treated as long-term capital gains includible in your net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates. |
• | Distributions from the sale of investments that a Fund owns or is considered to have owned for one year or less are taxable as ordinary income. |
• | Properly reported distributions of “qualified dividend income” are taxable to you at the rate that applies to net capital gains, provided that both you and such distributing Fund meet certain holding period and other requirements. |
• | A 3.8% Medicare contribution tax is imposed on the “net investment income” of certain individuals, estates and trusts to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. Net investment income generally includes for this purpose dividends paid by a Fund, including any capital gain dividends, and net gains recognized on the sale, redemption or exchange of shares of a Fund. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund. |
• | Distributions are taxable to you in the same manner whether you receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares. |
• | Provide your Social Security Number (“SSN”) or other taxpayer identification number (“TIN”); |
• | Certify that your SSN or TIN is correct; and |
• | Certify that you are not subject to back-up withholding. |
AMG Funds | 27 |
For the fiscal year ended October 31, | ||||||||||
Class N | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 1 | 2015 | |||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year | $8.61 | $10.11 | $7.91 | $7.23 | $8.83 | |||||
Income (loss) from Investment Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income2,3 | 0.14 | 0.11 | 0.09 | 0.06 | 0.06 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 1.04 | (1.54) | 2.18 | 0.66 | (1.66) | |||||
Total income (loss) from investment operations | 1.18 | (1.43) | 2.27 | 0.72 | (1.60) | |||||
Less Distributions to Shareholders from: | ||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.17) | (0.07) | (0.07) | (0.04) | — | |||||
Net realized gain on investments | (0.10) | — | — | — | — | |||||
Total distributions to shareholders | (0.27) | (0.07) | (0.07) | (0.04) | — | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Year | $9.52 | $8.61 | $10.11 | $7.91 | $7.23 | |||||
Total Return3 | 13.94% 4 | (14.24)% 4 | 28.97% 4 | 10.01% | (18.12)% | |||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | 1.30% | 1.27% | 1.31% | 1.44% | 1.45% | |||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets5 | 1.30% | 1.27% | 1.31% | 1.44% | 1.45% | |||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets3 | 1.52% | 1.12% | 1.08% | 0.81% | 0.76% | |||||
Portfolio turnover | 123% | 24% | 29% | 33% | 45% | |||||
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted | $520 | $289 | $350 | $497 | $57 |
For the fiscal year ended October 31, | ||||||||||
Class I | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 1 | 2015 | |||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year | $8.60 | $10.11 | $7.90 | $7.19 | $8.88 | |||||
Income (loss) from Investment Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income2,3 | 0.17 | 0.13 | 0.12 | 0.08 | 0.05 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 1.04 | (1.53) | 2.18 | 0.67 | (1.62) | |||||
Total income (loss) from investment operations | 1.21 | (1.40) | 2.30 | 0.75 | (1.57) | |||||
Less Distributions to Shareholders from: | ||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.23) | (0.11) | (0.09) | (0.04) | (0.12) | |||||
Net realized gain on investments | (0.10) | — | — | — | — | |||||
Total distributions to shareholders | (0.33) | (0.11) | (0.09) | (0.04) | (0.12) | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Year | $9.48 | $8.60 | $10.11 | $7.90 | $7.19 | |||||
Total Return3 | 14.34% 4 | (13.94)% 4 | 29.34% 4 | 10.48% 4 | (17.82)% 4 | |||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | 0.97% | 0.99% | 1.03% | 1.07% | 1.00% | |||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets5 | 0.97% | 0.99% | 1.03% | 1.07% | 1.00% | |||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets3 | 1.85% | 1.40% | 1.36% | 1.14% | 0.65% | |||||
Portfolio turnover | 123% | 24% | 29% | 33% | 45% | |||||
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted | $24,100 | $11,210 | $2,207 | $1,271 | $1,203 |
For the fiscal year ended October 31, | ||||||||||
Class Z | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 1 | 2015 | |||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Year | $8.56 | $10.06 | $7.86 | $7.20 | $8.89 | |||||
Income (loss) from Investment Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income2,3 | 0.18 | 0.15 | 0.13 | 0.09 | 0.09 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 1.02 | (1.53) | 2.16 | 0.65 | (1.65) | |||||
Total income (loss) from investment operations | 1.20 | (1.38) | 2.29 | 0.74 | (1.56) | |||||
Less Distributions to Shareholders from: | ||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.23) | (0.12) | (0.09) | (0.08) | (0.13) | |||||
Net realized gain on investments | (0.10) | — | — | — | — | |||||
Total distributions to shareholders | (0.33) | (0.12) | (0.09) | (0.08) | (0.13) | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Year | $9.43 | $8.56 | $10.06 | $7.86 | $7.20 | |||||
Total Return3 | 14.39% 4 | (13.88)% 4 | 29.62% 4 | 10.52% | (17.69)% | |||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | 0.90% | 0.87% | 0.88% | 0.94% | 0.95% | |||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets5 | 0.90% | 0.87% | 0.88% | 0.94% | 0.95% | |||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets3 | 1.92% | 1.52% | 1.51% | 1.25% | 1.18% | |||||
Portfolio turnover | 123% | 24% | 29% | 33% | 45% | |||||
Net assets end of Year (000's) omitted | $31,727 | $133,688 | $130,828 | $102,086 | $95,434 |
1 | Effective October 1, 2016, the Investor Class, Service Class and Institutional Class were renamed Class N, Class I and Class Z, respectively. |
2 | Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares. |
3 | Total returns and net investment income would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset. |
4 | The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end. |
5 | Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses. |
For the fiscal year ended October 31, | For the fiscal period ended October 31, | |||||||||
Class N | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 1 | 2015 2 | |||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.38 | $12.94 | $10.13 | $9.34 | $10.00 | |||||
Income (loss) from Investment Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income3,4 | 0.10 | 0.06 | 0.05 | 0.05 | 0.04 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 1.95 | (1.88) | 2.80 | 0.74 | (0.70) | |||||
Total income (loss) from investment operations | 2.05 | (1.82) | 2.85 | 0.79 | (0.66) | |||||
Less Distributions to Shareholders from: | ||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.06) | (0.05) | (0.04) | — | — | |||||
Net realized gain on investments | (0.44) | (0.69) | — | — | — | |||||
Total distributions to shareholders | (0.50) | (0.74) | (0.04) | — | — | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $11.93 | $10.38 | $12.94 | $10.13 | $9.34 | |||||
Total Return4,5 | 20.82% | (15.16)% | 28.31% | 8.46% | (6.60)% 6 | |||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | 1.37% 7 | 1.45% 7,8 | 1.45% 7,8 | 1.44% | 1.33% 9 | |||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets10 | 1.37% 7 | 1.45% 7 | 1.45% 7 | 1.53% | 1.65% 9 | |||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets4 | 0.93% | 0.49% | 0.45% | 0.51% | 0.65% 9 | |||||
Portfolio turnover | 40% | 37% | 68% | 58% | 45% 6 | |||||
Net assets end of Period (000's) omitted | $2,007 | $1,940 | $10 | $10 | $9 |
For the fiscal year ended October 31, | For the fiscal period ended October 31, | |||||||||
Class I | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 1 | 2015 2 | |||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.44 | $12.96 | $10.14 | $9.34 | $10.00 | |||||
Income (loss) from Investment Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income3,4 | 0.14 | 0.09 | 0.08 | 0.07 | 0.04 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 1.96 | (1.88) | 2.81 | 0.75 | (0.70) | |||||
Total income (loss) from investment operations | 2.10 | (1.79) | 2.89 | 0.82 | (0.66) | |||||
Less Distributions to Shareholders from: | ||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.07) | (0.04) | (0.07) | (0.02) | — | |||||
Net realized gain on investments | (0.44) | (0.69) | — | — | — | |||||
Total distributions to shareholders | (0.51) | (0.73) | (0.07) | (0.02) | — | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $12.03 | $10.44 | $12.96 | $10.14 | $9.34 | |||||
Total Return4,5 | 21.15% | (14.89)% | 28.73% | 8.77% | (6.60)% 6 | |||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | 1.08% 7 | 1.19% 7,8 | 1.12% 7,8 | 1.16% | 1.16% 9 | |||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets10 | 1.08% 7 | 1.19% 7 | 1.16% 7 | 1.24% | 1.45% 9 | |||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets4 | 1.22% | 0.75% | 0.78% | 0.79% | 0.61% 9 | |||||
Portfolio turnover | 40% | 37% | 68% | 58% | 45% 6 | |||||
Net assets end of Period (000's) omitted | $6,328 | $2,539 | $1,646 | $16,639 | $22,432 |
For the fiscal year ended October 31, | For the fiscal period ended October 31, | |||||||||
Class Z | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 1 | 2015 2 | |||||
Net Asset Value, Beginning of Period | $10.41 | $12.97 | $10.15 | $9.35 | $10.00 | |||||
Income (loss) from Investment Operations: | ||||||||||
Net investment income3,4 | 0.15 | 0.11 | 0.10 | 0.09 | 0.04 | |||||
Net realized and unrealized gain (loss) on investments | 1.96 | (1.89) | 2.80 | 0.74 | (0.69) | |||||
Total income (loss) from investment operations | 2.11 | (1.78) | 2.90 | 0.83 | (0.65) | |||||
Less Distributions to Shareholders from: | ||||||||||
Net investment income | (0.09) | (0.09) | (0.08) | (0.03) | — | |||||
Net realized gain on investments | (0.44) | (0.69) | — | — | — | |||||
Total distributions to shareholders | (0.53) | (0.78) | (0.08) | (0.03) | — | |||||
Net Asset Value, End of Period | $11.99 | $10.41 | $12.97 | $10.15 | $9.35 | |||||
Total Return4,5 | 21.34% | (14.87)% | 28.86% | 8.86% | (6.50)% 6 | |||||
Ratio of net expenses to average net assets | 0.97% 7 | 1.05% 7,8 | 1.05% 7,8 | 1.05% | 1.05% 9 | |||||
Ratio of gross expenses to average net assets10 | 0.97% 7 | 1.05% 7 | 1.05% 7 | 1.15% | 1.50% 9 | |||||
Ratio of net investment income to average net assets4 | 1.33% | 0.89% | 0.85% | 0.94% | 0.64% 9 | |||||
Portfolio turnover | 40% | 37% | 68% | 58% | 45% 6 | |||||
Net assets end of Period (000's) omitted | $105,069 | $60,443 | $59,500 | $30,777 | $7,782 |
1 | Effective October 1, 2016, the Investor Class, Service Class and Institutional Class were renamed Class N, Class I and Class Z, respectively. |
2 | Commencement of operations was on March 20, 2015. |
3 | Per share numbers have been calculated using average shares. |
4 | Total returns and net investment income would have been lower had certain expenses not been offset. |
5 | The total return is calculated using the published Net Asset Value as of fiscal year end. |
6 | Not annualized. |
7 | Such ratio includes recapture of waived/reimbursed fees from prior periods amounting to 0.02%, 0.07% and 0.04% for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2019, 2018 and 2017, respectively. |
8 | Includes reduction from broker recapture amounting to less than 0.01%. |
9 | Annualized. |
10 | Excludes the impact of expense reimbursement or fee waivers and expense reductions such as brokerage credits, but includes expense repayments and non-reimbursable expenses, if any, such as interest, taxes, and extraordinary expenses. |
33 | AMG Funds |
37 | AMG Funds |
• |
By telephone:
800.548.4539 |
• |
By mail:
AMG Funds 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300 Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 |
• |
On
the Internet:
Electronic copies are available on our website at www.amgfunds.com |
AMG FUNDS
AMG GW&K EMERGING MARKETS EQUITY FUND
(formerly AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund)
CLASS N: TLEVX
CLASS I: TLESX
CLASS Z: TLEIX
AMG GW&K EMERGING WEALTH EQUITY FUND
(formerly AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Wealth Equity Fund)
CLASS N: TYWVX
CLASS I: TYWSX
CLASS Z: TYWIX
STATEMENT OF ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
DATED March 1, 2020
You can obtain a free copy of the prospectus for each of AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund and AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund (each a Fund, and together, the Funds), dated March 1, 2020, as supplemented from time to time (the Prospectus), by calling the Funds at (800) 548-4539 or by visiting the Funds website at www.amgfunds.com. The Funds Prospectus provides basic information about investing in the Funds.
This Statement of Additional Information is not a Prospectus. It contains additional information regarding the activities and operations of the Funds. It should be read in conjunction with the Funds Prospectus.
The Funds audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 and the related Notes to the Financial Statements for the Funds, as well as the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm from the Funds Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 are incorporated by reference into this Statement of Additional Information (meaning such documents are legally part of this Statement of Additional Information) and are on file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The Funds Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are available without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds at (800) 548-4539 or by visiting the Funds website at www.amgfunds.com or on the Securities and Exchange Commissions website at www.sec.gov.
SAI070-0320
TABLE OF CONTENTS
page | ||||
1 | ||||
1 | ||||
36 | ||||
46 | ||||
49 | ||||
62 | ||||
64 | ||||
68 | ||||
84 | ||||
87 | ||||
APPENDIX A GW&K INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES |
A-1 |
i
This Statement of Additional Information (SAI) relates to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund and AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund (each a Fund, and together, the Funds). Each Fund is a series of shares of beneficial interest of AMG Funds, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), and part of the AMG Funds Family of Funds, a fund complex comprised of 52 different funds, each having distinct investment management objectives, strategies, risks, and policies (the AMG Fund Complex). The Trust was organized on June 18, 1999.
Each Fund has established three classes of shares: Class N, Class I and Class Z. Effective October 1, 2016, existing Investor Class, Service Class and Institutional Class shares of each Fund were renamed Class N, Class I and Class Z shares, respectively.
Effective April 28, 2014, Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund changed its name to AMG Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund. Effective January 31, 2019, AMG Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund changed its name to AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund and AMG Trilogy Emerging Wealth Equity Fund changed its name to AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Wealth Equity Fund. Effective March 1, 2020, AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund changed its name to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund and AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Wealth Equity Fund changed its name to AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund.
Effective April 28, 2014, Managers AMG Funds changed its name to AMG Funds and the Funds investment manager changed its name from Managers Investment Group LLC to AMG Funds LLC.
This SAI describes the financial history, management and operation of the Funds, as well as each Funds investment objective and policies. It should be read in conjunction with the Funds current prospectus, dated March 1, 2020, as supplemented from time to time (the Prospectus). The Trusts executive office is located at 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
AMG Funds LLC (the Investment Manager), a subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (AMG), serves as investment manager to the Funds and is responsible for each Funds overall administration. It selects and recommends, subject to the approval of the Trusts Board of Trustees (the Trustees), an independent asset manager, or a team of independent asset managers (the Subadviser or Subadvisers) to manage each Funds investment portfolio. The Investment Manager also monitors the performance, security holdings and investment strategies of these Subadvisers and researches any potential new Subadvisers for the Funds. GW&K Investment Management, LLC (GW&K) currently serves as Subadviser to the Funds. See Management of the Funds for more information.
Investments in the Funds are not:
|
Deposits or obligations of any bank; |
|
Guaranteed or endorsed by any bank; or |
|
Federally insured or guaranteed by the Federal Deposit Insurance Corporation, the Federal Reserve Board or any other federal agency. |
ADDITIONAL INVESTMENT POLICIES
The following is additional information regarding the investment policies used by each Fund in an attempt to achieve its investment objective as stated in the Prospectus. The Trust is an open-end management investment company, and each Fund is a diversified series of the Trust.
1
The table below shows the types of securities and instruments that may be purchased by the Funds to the extent such investments are permitted by applicable law. For a more complete description of the types of securities and techniques that may be utilized by the Funds, see Investment Techniques and Associated Risks below. The information below does not describe every type of investment, technique or risk to which each Fund may be exposed. Each Fund reserves the right, without notice, to make any investment, or use any investment technique, except to the extent that such activity would require a shareholder vote, as discussed below under Fundamental Investment Restrictions.
Investment Practices |
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund |
||
Borrowing |
X | X | ||
Cash Equivalents |
||||
Bank Obligations |
X | X | ||
Bankers Acceptances |
X | X | ||
Certificates of Deposit |
X | X | ||
Repurchase Agreements |
X | X | ||
Short-Term Corporate Debt Securities |
X | X | ||
Time Deposits |
X | X | ||
Commercial Paper |
X | X | ||
Derivative Instruments |
X | X | ||
Emerging Market Securities |
X | X | ||
Equity Investments |
||||
Common Stock |
X | X | ||
Convertible Securities |
X | X | ||
Depositary Receipts |
X | X | ||
Initial Public Offerings |
X | X | ||
Preferred Stock |
X | X | ||
Foreign Securities |
X | X | ||
Forward Commitments |
X | X | ||
Illiquid Securities, Private Placements and Certain Unregistered Securities |
X | X | ||
Interfund Lending |
X | X | ||
Investment Company Securities |
X | X | ||
Participations |
X | X | ||
Real Estate Investment Trusts |
X | X | ||
Reverse Repurchase Agreements |
X | X | ||
Securities Lending |
X | X | ||
Structured Notes, Equity-Linked Notes and Other Hybrid Instruments |
X | X | ||
United States Government Obligations |
X | X | ||
Warrants and Rights |
X | X | ||
When-Issued Securities |
X | X | ||
Zero Coupon Securities |
X | X |
Investment Techniques and Associated Risks
(1) |
Borrowing |
Under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act), a Fund may borrow from any bank, provided that immediately after any such borrowing there is an asset coverage of at least 300% for all borrowings by the Fund and provided further, that in the event that such asset coverage shall at any time fall below 300%, the Fund shall, within three days (not including Sundays and holidays)
2
thereafter or such longer period as the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) may prescribe by rules and regulations, reduce the amount of its borrowings to such an extent that the asset coverage of such borrowings shall be at least 300%. In addition, each Fund may borrow up to 33 1/3% of its total assets through an interfund lending program with other eligible funds in the AMG Fund Complex (as further described below). The 1940 Act also permits an open-end investment company to borrow money from a bank or other person provided that such loan is for temporary purposes only and is in an amount not exceeding 5% of the value of the investment companys total assets at the time when the loan is made. A loan is presumed to be for temporary purposes if it is repaid within sixty days and is not extended or renewed. Typically, a Fund may pledge up to 33 1/3% of its total assets to secure these borrowings. The Trust, on behalf of each Fund, has entered into a master interfund lending agreement that would allow each Fund to borrow, for temporary purposes only, from other eligible funds in the AMG Fund Complex, subject to each Funds fundamental investment restrictions and provided such borrowings do not exceed the amount permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as modified by the below mentioned and any other applicable exemptive order or other relief. Please see Interfund Lending below for more information. If a Funds asset coverage for borrowings falls below 300%, the Fund will take prompt action to reduce its borrowings even though it may be disadvantageous at that time from an investment point of view. A Fund will incur costs when it borrows, including payment of interest and any fee necessary to maintain a line of credit, and may be required to maintain a minimum average balance. If a Fund is permitted to borrow money to take advantage of investment opportunities, if the income and appreciation on assets acquired with such borrowed funds exceed their borrowing cost, a Funds investment performance will increase, whereas if the income and appreciation on assets acquired with borrowed funds are less than their borrowing costs, investment performance will decrease. In addition, if a Fund borrows to invest in securities, any investment gains made on the securities in excess of the costs of the borrowing, and any gain or loss on hedging, will cause the net asset value (NAV) of the shares to rise faster than would otherwise be the case. On the other hand, if the investment performance of the additional securities purchased fails to cover their cost (including any interest paid on the money borrowed) to the Fund, the NAV of the Funds shares will decrease faster than would otherwise be the case. This speculative characteristic is known as leverage.
(2) |
Cash Equivalents |
The Funds may invest in cash equivalents to the extent that such investments are consistent with the Funds investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and as discussed in the Funds Prospectus and this SAI. A description of the various types of cash equivalents that may be purchased by the Funds appears below.
Bank Obligations. The Funds may purchase obligations of domestic and foreign banks and foreign branches of domestic banks. Banks are subject to extensive governmental regulations. These regulations place limitations on the amounts and types of loans and other financial commitments which may be made by the bank and the interest rates and fees which may be charged on these loans and commitments. The profitability of the banking industry depends on the availability and costs of capital funds for the purpose of financing loans under prevailing money market conditions. General economic conditions also play a key role in the operations of the banking industry. Exposure to credit losses arising from potential financial difficulties of borrowers may affect the ability of the bank to meet its obligations under a letter of credit.
Bankers Acceptances. Bankers acceptances are short-term credit instruments used to finance the import, export, transfer or storage of goods. These instruments become accepted when a bank guarantees their payment upon maturity. Eurodollar bankers acceptances are bankers acceptances denominated in U.S. dollars and are accepted by foreign branches of major U.S. commercial banks.
3
Certificates of Deposit. Certificates of deposit are issued against money deposited into a bank (including eligible foreign branches of U.S. banks) or savings and loan association (S&L) for a definite period of time. They earn a specified rate of return and are normally negotiable.
Repurchase Agreements. In a repurchase agreement, a Fund buys a security from a bank or a broker-dealer that has agreed to repurchase the same security at a mutually agreed-upon date and price. The resale price normally reflects the purchase price plus a mutually agreed-upon interest rate. This interest rate is effective for the period of time a Fund is invested in the agreement and is not related to the coupon rate on the underlying security. Repurchase agreements are subject to certain risks that may adversely affect the Funds. If a seller defaults, a Fund may incur a loss if the value of the collateral securing the repurchase agreement declines and may incur disposition costs in connection with liquidating the collateral. In addition, if bankruptcy proceedings are commenced with respect to a seller of the security, a Funds ability to dispose of the collateral may be delayed or limited. Generally, the period of these repurchase agreements will be short, and at no time will the Funds enter into a repurchase agreement for a period of more than seven (7) days.
Short-Term Corporate Debt Securities. Short-term corporate debt securities include bills, notes, debentures, money market instruments and similar instruments and securities, and are generally used by corporations and other issuers to borrow money from investors for such purposes as working capital or capital expenditures. The issuer pays the investor a variable or fixed rate of interest and normally must repay the amount borrowed on or before maturity. The investment return of corporate debt securities reflects interest earnings and changes in the market value of the security. The market value of a corporate debt obligation may be expected to rise and fall inversely with interest rates generally. In addition to interest rate risk, corporate debt securities also involve the risk that the issuers of the securities may not be able to meet their obligations on interest or principal payments at the time called for by an instrument. The rate of return or return of principal on some debt obligations may be linked or indexed to the level of exchange rates between the U.S. dollar and a foreign currency or currencies.
Many financial instruments use or may use a floating rate based on London Interbank Offered Rate (LIBOR), which is the offered rate for short-term Eurodollar deposits between major international banks. On July 27, 2017, the head of the United Kingdoms Financial Conduct Authority announced a desire to phase out the use of LIBOR by the end of 2021. There remains uncertainty regarding the future utilization of LIBOR and the nature of any replacement rate. The transition away from or elimination of LIBOR may adversely affect the interest rates on, and liquidity and value of, certain Fund investments for which the value is tied to LIBOR. Such investments may include bank loans, floating rate securities, other debt securities, derivatives, and other assets or liabilities tied to LIBOR. Actions by regulators have resulted in the establishment of alternative reference rates to LIBOR in most major currencies. The U.S. Federal Reserve, based on the recommendations of the New York Federal Reserves Alternative Reference Rate Committee (comprised of major derivative market participants and their regulators), has begun publishing a Secured Overnight Funding Rate (SOFR), that is intended to replace U.S. dollar LIBOR. Proposals for alternative reference rates for other currencies have also been announced or have already begun publication. Markets are slowly developing in response to these new rates. Questions around liquidity of investments impacted by these rates, and how to appropriately adjust these rates at the time of transition, remain a concern for the Funds. The effect of any changes to, or discontinuation of, LIBOR on a Fund will vary depending, among other things, on (1) existing fallback or termination provisions in individual contracts and (2) whether, how, and when industry participants develop and adopt new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products and instruments. Accordingly, it is difficult to predict the full impact of the transition away from LIBOR on a Fund until new reference rates and fallbacks for both legacy and new products, instruments and contracts are commercially accepted.
4
Time Deposits. Time deposits in banks or S&Ls are generally similar to certificates of deposit, but are uncertificated.
(3) |
Commercial Paper |
Commercial paper refers to promissory notes that represent an unsecured debt of a corporation or finance company. They have a maturity of up to nine (9) months. Eurodollar commercial paper refers to promissory notes payable in U.S. dollars by European issuers.
(4) |
Derivative Instruments |
The following describes certain derivative instruments and products in which the Funds may invest and risks associated therewith.
A Fund might not employ any of the strategies described below or be permitted by applicable law to do so, and no assurance can be given that any strategy used will succeed. Also, suitable derivative and/or hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances and there can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to identify or employ a desirable derivative and/or hedging transaction at any time or from time to time or that any such transactions will be successful.
Futures Contracts and Options on Futures Contracts. To the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, a Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts, including futures contracts on global equity and fixed-income securities, interest rate futures contracts, foreign currency futures contracts and futures contracts on security indices (including broad-based security indices), for any purpose. A Fund may invest in foreign currency futures contracts and options thereon (options on futures) that are traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange, board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system as an adjunct to their securities activities. A Fund may purchase and sell futures contracts on various securities indices (Index Futures), including indices of U.S. government securities, foreign government securities, equity securities or fixed-income securities, and related options. Through the use of Index Futures and related options, a Fund may create economic exposure in its portfolio to long and short positions in the global (U.S. and non-U.S.) equity, bond and currency markets without incurring the substantial brokerage costs which may be associated with investment in the securities of multiple issuers. A Fund may enter into futures contracts for the purchase or sale of fixed-income securities, equity securities or foreign currencies, and may also use options on securities or currency futures contracts.
A futures contract provides for the future sale by one party and purchase by another party of a specified quantity of a financial instrument, foreign currency or the cash value of an index at a specified price and time. An Index Future is an agreement pursuant to which two parties agree to take or make delivery of an amount of cash equal to the difference between the value of a securities index (Index) at the close of the last trading day of the contract and the price at which the index contract was originally written. Although the value of an Index might be a function of the value of certain specified securities, no physical delivery of these securities is made. A unit is the value of the relevant Index from time to time. Entering into a contract to buy units is commonly referred to as buying or purchasing a contract or holding a long position in an Index. Index Futures contracts can be traded through major commodity brokers. As described below, a Fund will be required to segregate initial margin in the name of the futures broker upon entering into an Index Future. Variation margin will be paid to and received from the broker on a daily basis as the contracts are marked to market, as a settlement between the Fund and the broker of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired. For example, when a Fund has purchased an Index Future and the price of the relevant Index has risen, that position will have increased in value and a Fund will receive from the broker a variation margin payment equal to that increase in value. Conversely, when a Fund has purchased an Index Future and the price of the relevant Index has declined, the position would be less valuable and a Fund would be required to make a variation margin payment to the broker.
5
A Fund will ordinarily be able to close open positions on the futures exchanges on which Index Futures are traded at any time up to and including the expiration day. All positions which remain open at the close of the last business day of the contracts life are required to settle on the next business day (based upon the value of the relevant Index on the expiration day), with settlement made with the appropriate clearing house. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for any particular futures contract at any specific time. Thus, it may not be possible to close a futures position, and the Fund would be obligated to meet margin requirements (as discussed below) until the position is closed. Additional or different margin requirements as well as settlement procedures may be applicable to foreign stock Index Futures at the time a Fund purchases such instruments. Positions in Index Futures may be closed out by a Fund only on the futures exchanges upon which the Index Futures are then traded.
The following example illustrates generally the manner in which Index Futures operate. The S&P 100 Index is composed of 100 selected common stocks, most of which are listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE). The S&P 100 Index assigns relative weightings to the common stocks included in the Index, and the Index fluctuates with changes in the market values of those common stocks. In the case of the S&P 100 Index, contracts are to buy or sell 100 units. Thus, if the value of the S&P 100 Index were $180, one contract would be worth $18,000 (100 units x $180). The Index Future specifies that no delivery of the actual stocks making up the Index will take place. Instead, settlement in cash must occur upon the termination of the contract, with the settlement being the difference between the contract price and the actual level of the Index at the expiration of the contract. For example, if a Fund enters into a futures contract to buy 100 units of the S&P 100 Index at a specified future date at a contract price of $180 and the S&P 100 Index value is $184 on that future date, the Fund will gain $400 (100 units x gain of $4). If a Fund enters into a futures contract to sell 100 units of the Index at a specified future date at a contract price of $180 and the S&P 100 Index value is $182 on that future date, the Fund will lose $200 (100 units x loss of $2).
A public market exists in futures contracts covering a number of Indices as well as financial instruments and foreign currencies, including but not limited to: the S&P 500; the S&P Midcap 400; the Nikkei 225; the NYSE Composite; U.S. Treasury bonds; U.S. Treasury notes; Government National Mortgage Association (GNMA) Certificates; three-month U.S. Treasury bills; 90-day commercial paper; bank certificates of deposit; Eurodollar certificates of deposit; the Australian dollar; the Canadian dollar; the British pound; the Japanese yen; the Swiss franc; the Mexican peso; and certain multinational currencies, such as the euro. It is expected that other futures contracts in which a Fund may invest will be developed and traded in the future.
A Fund may purchase and write call and put options on futures. Options on futures possess many of the same characteristics as options on securities and indices (discussed below). An option on a futures contract gives the holder the right, in return for the premium paid, to assume a long position (call) or short position (put) in a futures contract at a specified exercise price at any time during the period of the option. Upon exercise of a call option, the holder acquires a long position in the futures contract and the writer is assigned the opposite short position. In the case of a put option, the holder acquires a short position and the writer is assigned the opposite long position. A call option is in the money if the value of the futures contract that is the subject of the option exceeds the exercise price. A put option is in the money if the exercise price exceeds the value of the futures contract that is the subject of the option.
When a Fund purchases or sells a futures contract, the Fund is required to deposit with its futures commission merchant an amount of margin set by the clearing house on which the contract is cleared and
6
the Funds futures commission merchant and may be modified by the exchange or the futures commission merchant during the term of the contract. Margin requirements on foreign exchanges may be different than U.S. exchanges. The initial margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by a Fund, but rather is in the nature of a performance bond or good faith deposit on the futures contract which is returned to the Fund upon termination of the contract, assuming all contractual obligations have been satisfied. A Fund may earn interest income on its initial margin deposits. A futures contract held by a Fund is valued daily at the official settlement price of the exchange on which it is traded. Each day a Fund pays or receives cash, called variation margin, equal to the daily change in value of the futures contract. This process is known as marking to market. Variation margin does not represent a borrowing or loan by a Fund but is instead a settlement between the Fund and the exchange of the amount one would owe the other if the futures contract expired. If a Fund has insufficient cash to meet daily variation margin requirements, it might need to sell securities at a time when such sales are disadvantageous. In computing daily NAV, a Fund will mark to market its open futures positions.
A Fund is also required to deposit and maintain margin with respect to put and call options on futures contracts written by it. Such margin deposits will vary depending on the nature of the underlying futures contract (and the related initial margin requirements), the current market value of the option, and other futures positions held by a Fund.
Although some futures contracts call for making or taking delivery of the underlying securities, generally these obligations are closed out prior to delivery by offsetting purchases or sales of matching futures contracts (i.e., with the same exchange, underlying security or index, and delivery month). If an offsetting purchase price is less than the original sale price, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is more, the Fund realizes a capital loss. Conversely, if an offsetting sale price is more than the original purchase price, a Fund realizes a capital gain, or if it is less, a Fund realizes a capital loss. Any transaction costs must also be included in these calculations. Positions in futures and options on futures may be closed only on an exchange or board of trade that provides a secondary market. However, there can be no assurance that a liquid secondary market will exist for a particular contract at a particular time. In such event, it may not be possible to close a futures contract or options position, and the Fund would be obligated to meet margin requirements until the position is closed. The inability to close options and futures positions also could have an adverse impact on a Funds ability to effectively hedge.
Limitations on Use of Futures and Options on Futures. A Fund may only enter into futures contracts or options on futures which are standardized and traded on a U.S. or foreign exchange, board of trade, or similar entity, or quoted on an automated quotation system, or in the case of options on futures, for which an established over-the-counter (OTC) option market exists. A Fund may utilize futures contracts and related options for any purpose, including for investment purposes and for bona fide hedging purposes (as such term is defined in applicable regulations of the U.S. Commodity Futures Trading Commission (the CFTC)), for example, to hedge against changes in interest rates, foreign currency exchange rates or securities prices. For instance, a Fund may invest to a significant degree in Index Futures on stock indices and related options (including those which may trade outside of the United States) as an alternative to purchasing individual stocks in order to adjust their exposure to a particular market.
When purchasing a futures contract, a Fund may segregate or earmark (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) assets determined to be liquid by the Subadviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, are equal to the market value of the futures contract on the Funds records. Alternatively, a Fund may cover its position by purchasing a put option on the same futures contract with a strike price as high or higher than the price of the contract held by the Fund.
7
When selling a futures contract, a Fund may segregate or earmark (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) assets determined to be liquid by the Subadviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees that are equal to the market value of the instruments underlying the contract. Alternatively, a Fund may cover its position by owning the instruments underlying the contract (or, in the case of an Index Future, a portfolio with a volatility substantially similar to that of the Index on which the futures contract is based), or by holding a call option permitting the Fund to purchase the same futures contract at a price no higher than the price of the contract written by the Fund (or at a higher price if the difference is maintained in liquid assets with the Funds custodian).
When selling a call option on a futures contract, a Fund may segregate or earmark (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) assets determined to be liquid by the Subadviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees that, when added to the amounts deposited with a futures commission merchant as margin, equal the total market value of the futures contract underlying the call option. Alternatively, a Fund may cover its position by entering into a long position in the same futures contract at a price no higher than the strike price of the call option, by owning the instruments underlying the futures contract, or by holding a separate call option permitting the Fund to purchase the same futures contract at a price not higher than the strike price of the call option sold by the Fund.
When selling a put option on a futures contract, a Fund may segregate or earmark (and mark-to-market on a daily basis) assets determined to be liquid by the Subadviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees that equal the purchase price of the futures contract, less any margin on deposit. Alternatively, a Fund may cover the position either by entering into a short position in the same futures contract, or by owning a separate put option permitting it to sell the same futures contract so long as the strike price of the purchased put option is the same or higher than the strike price of the put option sold by the Fund.
The CFTC has adopted regulations that subject registered investment companies and their investment advisers to regulation by the CFTC if the registered investment company invests more than a prescribed level of its liquidation value in futures, options on futures or commodities, swaps, or other financial instruments regulated under the Commodity Exchange Act (commodity interests), or if a Fund markets itself as providing investment exposure to such instruments. As of the date of this SAI, the Funds are operated by a person, the Investment Manager, who has claimed an exclusion from the definition of the term commodity pool operator under the Commodity Exchange Act (the CEA) pursuant to Rule 4.5 thereunder (the exclusion) promulgated by the CFTC (with respect to the Funds). Accordingly, neither the Investment Manager (with respect to the Funds) nor any Fund is subject to registration or regulation as a commodity pool operator or commodity pool, respectively, under the CEA. To remain eligible for the exclusion, each of the Funds will be limited in its ability to use any commodity interests, and in the manner in which it holds out its use of such commodity interests. In the event that a Funds investments in commodity interests are not within the thresholds set forth in the exclusion, the Investment Manager may be required to register as a commodity pool operator and/or commodity trading advisor with the CFTC with respect to that Fund. The Investment Managers eligibility to claim the exclusion with respect to a Fund will be based upon, among other things, the level and scope of a Funds investment in commodity interests, the purposes of such investments and the manner in which the Fund holds out its use of commodity interests. Each Funds ability to invest in commodity interests (including, but not limited to, futures and swaps on broad-based securities indexes and interest rates) is limited by the Investment Managers intention to operate the Fund in a manner that would permit the Investment Manager to continue to claim the exclusion under Rule 4.5, which may adversely affect the Funds total return. In the event the Investment Manager becomes unable to rely on the exclusion in Rule 4.5 and is required to register with the CFTC as a commodity pool operator with respect to a Fund, the Funds expenses may increase, adversely affecting the Funds total return.
8
Risks Associated with Futures and Options on Futures. There are several risks associated with the use of futures contracts and options on futures as hedging techniques. A purchase or sale of a futures contract may result in losses in excess of the amount invested in the futures contract. Some of the risk may be caused by an imperfect correlation between movements in the price of the futures contract and the price of the security or other investment being hedged. The hedge will not be fully effective where there is such imperfect correlation. Also, an incorrect correlation could result in a loss on both the hedged securities in a Fund and the hedging vehicle, so that the portfolio return might have been greater had hedging not been attempted. For example, if the price of the futures contract moves more than the price of the hedged security, a Fund would experience either a loss or gain on the future which is not completely offset by movements in the price of the hedged securities. In addition, there are significant differences between the securities and futures markets that could result in an imperfect correlation between the markets, causing a given hedge not to achieve its objectives. The degree of imperfection of correlation depends on circumstances such as variations in speculative market demand for futures and options on futures on securities, including technical influences in futures trading and options on futures, and differences between the financial instruments being hedged and the instruments underlying the standard contracts available for trading in such respects as interest rate levels, maturities, and creditworthiness of issuers. To compensate for imperfect correlations, a Fund may purchase or sell futures contracts in a greater dollar amount than the hedged securities if the volatility of the hedged securities is historically greater than the volatility of the futures contracts. Conversely, a Fund may purchase or sell fewer contracts if the volatility of the price of the hedged securities is historically less than that of the futures contracts. The risk of imperfect correlation generally tends to diminish as the maturity date of the futures contract approaches. A decision as to whether, when and how to hedge involves the exercise of skill and judgment, and even a well-conceived hedge may be unsuccessful to some degree because of market behavior or unexpected interest rate trends. Also, suitable hedging transactions may not be available in all circumstances.
Additionally, the price of Index Futures may not correlate perfectly with movement in the relevant index due to certain market distortions. First, all participants in the futures market are subject to margin deposit and maintenance requirements. Rather than meeting additional margin deposit requirements, investors may close futures contracts through offsetting transactions which could distort the normal relationship between the index and futures markets. Second, the deposit requirements in the futures market are less onerous than margin requirements in the securities market, and as a result, the futures market may attract more speculators than does the securities market. Increased participation by speculators in the futures market may also cause temporary price distortions. In addition, trading hours for foreign stock Index Futures may not correspond perfectly to hours of trading on the foreign exchange to which a particular foreign stock Index Future relates. This may result in a disparity between the price of Index Futures and the value of the relevant index due to the lack of continuous arbitrage between the Index Futures price and the value of the underlying index.
Futures exchanges may limit the amount of fluctuation permitted in certain futures contract prices during a single trading day. The daily limit establishes the maximum amount that the price of a futures contract may vary either up or down from the previous days settlement price at the end of the current trading session. Once the daily limit has been reached in a futures contract subject to the limit, no more trades may be made on that day at a price beyond that limit. The daily limit governs only price movements during a particular trading day and therefore does not limit potential losses because the limit may work to prevent the liquidation of unfavorable positions. For example, futures prices have occasionally moved to the daily limit for several consecutive trading days with little or no trading, thereby preventing prompt liquidation of positions and subjecting some holders of futures contracts to substantial losses.
9
There can be no assurance that a liquid market will exist at a time when a Fund seeks to close out a futures or a futures option position. If a Fund were unable to liquidate a futures contract or an option on a futures position due to the absence of a liquid secondary market, the imposition of price limits or otherwise, it could incur substantial losses. A Fund would continue to be subject to market risk with respect to the position. Also, except in the case of purchased options, a Fund would continue to be required to make daily variation margin payments and might be required to maintain a position being hedged by the future or option or to maintain cash or securities in a segregated account. In addition, many of the contracts discussed above are relatively new instruments without a significant trading history. As a result, there can be no assurance that an active secondary market will develop or continue to exist.
Utilization of futures transactions by a Fund involves the risk of loss by a Fund of margin deposits in the event of bankruptcy of a broker or clearing house with whom a Fund has an open position in a futures contract or related option.
Forward Currency Contracts. A Fund may enter into forward currency contracts for any purpose, including to attempt to hedge currency exposure or to enhance return. A forward currency contract is an obligation to purchase or sell a currency against another currency at a future date and price as agreed-upon by the parties. A Fund may either accept or make delivery of the currency at the maturity of the forward contract or, prior to maturity, enter into a closing transaction involving the purchase or sale of an offsetting contract. Secondary markets generally do not exist for forward currency contracts, with the result that closing transactions generally can be made for forward currency contracts only by negotiating directly with the counterparty. Thus, there can be no assurance that a Fund will be able to close out a forward currency contract at a favorable price prior to maturity.
A Fund may engage in forward currency transactions in anticipation of, or to protect itself against, fluctuations in exchange rates. A Fund might sell a particular currency forward, for example, when it wanted to hold bonds denominated in that currency but anticipated, and sought to be protected against, a decline in the currency against the U.S. dollar. Similarly, a Fund might purchase a currency forward to lock in the dollar price of securities denominated in that currency which it anticipated purchasing. To avoid leverage in connection with forward currency transactions, a Fund will set aside with its custodian or earmark securities considered to be liquid by the Subadviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, or hold a covered position against any potential delivery or payment obligations under any outstanding contracts, in an amount equal to open positions in forwards used for non-hedging purposes.
Forward currency contracts are not traded on regulated exchanges. When a Fund enters into a forward currency contract, it incurs the risk of default by the counterparty to the transaction.
Options. A Fund may purchase and sell both put options and call options on a variety of underlying securities and instruments, including, but not limited to, specific securities, securities indices, futures contracts and foreign currencies. A call option gives the purchaser the right to buy, and obligates the writer to sell, the underlying security or instrument at the agreed-upon price during the option period. A put option gives the purchaser the right to sell, and obligates the writer to buy, the underlying security or instrument at the agreed-upon price during the option period. Purchasers of options pay an amount, known as a premium, to the option writer in exchange for the right under the option contract.
A Fund may purchase call options for any purpose. For example, a call option may be purchased by a Fund as a long hedge. Call options also may be used as a means of participating in an anticipated price increase of a security or instrument on a more limited risk basis than would be possible if the security or instrument itself were purchased. In the event of a decline in the price of the underlying security or instrument, use of this strategy would serve to limit a Funds potential loss to the option premium paid; conversely, if the market price of the underlying security or instrument increases above the exercise price and the Fund either sells or exercises the option, any profit realized would be reduced by the premium.
10
A Fund may purchase put options for any purpose. For example, a put option may be purchased by a Fund as a short hedge. The put option enables a Fund to sell the underlying security or instrument at the predetermined exercise price; thus the potential for loss to a Fund below the exercise price is limited to the option premium paid. If the market price of the underlying security or instrument is lower than the exercise price of the put option, any profit a Fund realizes on the sale of the security or instrument would be reduced by the premium paid for the put option less any amount for which the put option may be sold.
A Fund may write call or put options for any purpose. For example, writing put or call options can enable a Fund to enhance income or yield by reason of the premiums paid by the purchasers of such options. However, a Fund may also suffer a loss as a result of writing options. For example, if the market price of the security or instrument underlying a put option declines to less than the exercise price of the option, minus the premium received, a Fund would suffer a loss. A Fund will segregate or earmark assets or otherwise cover written call or put options in accordance with applicable SEC guidelines.
Writing call options can serve as a limited short hedge, because declines in the value of the hedged security or instrument would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. However, when securities prices increase, a Fund is exposed to an increased risk of loss, because if the price of the underlying security or instrument exceeds the options exercise price, the Fund will suffer a loss equal to the amount by which the market price exceeds the exercise price at the time the call option is exercised, minus the premium received. If the call option is an OTC option, the securities or other assets used as cover may be considered illiquid.
Writing put options can serve as a limited long hedge because declines in the value of the hedged investment would be offset to the extent of the premium received for writing the option. However, if the underlying security or instrument depreciates to a price lower than the exercise price of the put option, it can be expected that the put option will be exercised and a Fund will be obligated to purchase the underlying security or instrument at more than its market value. If the put option is an OTC option, the securities or other assets used as cover may be considered illiquid.
The value of an option position will be affected by, among other things, the current market value of the underlying security or instrument, the time remaining until expiration, the relationship of the exercise price to the market price of the underlying security or instrument, the historical price volatility of the underlying security or instrument and general market conditions.
A Fund may effectively terminate its right or obligation under an option by entering into a closing transaction. For example, a Fund may terminate its obligation under a call or put option that it had written by purchasing an identical call or put option; this is known as a closing purchase transaction. Conversely, a Fund may terminate a position in a put or call option it had purchased by writing an identical put or call option; this is known as a closing sale transaction. Closing transactions permit a Fund to realize profits or limit losses on an option position prior to its exercise or expiration.
Risks of Options. Options offer large amounts of leverage, which will result in a Funds NAV being more sensitive to changes in the value of the related instrument. A Fund may purchase or write both exchange-traded and OTC options. Exchange-traded options in the United States are issued by a clearing organization affiliated with the exchange on which the option is listed that, in effect, guarantees completion of every exchange-traded option transaction. In contrast, OTC options are contracts between a Fund and its counterparty (usually a securities dealer or a bank) with no clearing organization guarantee. Thus, when a Fund purchases an OTC option, it relies on the counterparty from whom it purchased the option to make or take delivery of the underlying investment upon exercise of the option. Failure by the counterparty to do so would result in the loss of any premium paid by a Fund as well as the loss of any expected benefit of the transaction.
11
A Funds ability to establish and close out positions in exchange-listed options depends on the existence of a liquid market. However, there can be no assurance that such a market will exist at any particular time. Closing transactions can be made for OTC options only by negotiating directly with the counterparty, or by a transaction in the secondary market if any such market exists. There can be no assurance that a Fund will in fact be able to close out an OTC option position at a favorable price prior to expiration. In the event of insolvency of the counterparty, a Fund might be unable to close out an OTC option position at any time prior to its expiration, if at all.
If a Fund were unable to effect a closing transaction for an option it had purchased, due to the absence of a counterparty or secondary market, the imposition of price limits or otherwise, it would have to exercise the option to realize any profit. The inability to enter into a closing purchase transaction for a covered call option written by a Fund could cause material losses because the Fund would be unable to sell the investment used as cover for the written option until the option expires or is exercised.
Options have varying expiration dates. The exercise price of the options may be below, equal to or above the current market value of the underlying security or instrument. Options purchased by a Fund that expire unexercised have no value, and the Fund will realize a loss in the amount of the premium paid and any transaction costs. If an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund realizes a gain equal to the premium received at the time the option was written. Transaction costs must be included in these calculations.
Additional risks of OTC options are discussed below (Risks Related to OTC Options).
Options on Indices. To the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, the Funds may invest in options on indices, including broad-based security indices. Puts and calls on indices are similar to puts and calls on other investments except that all settlements are in cash and gain or loss depends on changes in the index in question rather than on price movements in individual securities, futures contracts or other investments. When a Fund writes a call on an index, it receives a premium and agrees that, prior to the expiration date, the purchaser of the call, upon exercise of the call, will receive from the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the call is based is greater than the exercise price of the call. The amount of cash is equal to the difference between the closing price of the index and the exercise price of the call times a specified multiple (multiplier), which determines the total dollar value for each point of such difference. When a Fund buys a call on an index, it pays a premium and has the same rights as to such call as are indicated above. When a Fund buys a put on an index, it pays a premium and has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the seller of the put, upon the Funds exercise of the put, to deliver to the Fund an amount of cash if the closing level of the index upon which the put is based is less than the exercise price of the put, which amount of cash is determined by the multiplier, as described above for calls. When a Fund writes a put on an index, it receives a premium and the purchaser of the put has the right, prior to the expiration date, to require the Fund to deliver to it an amount of cash equal to the difference between the closing level of the index and exercise price times the multiplier if the closing level is less than the exercise price.
Risks of Options on Indices. The risks of investments in options on indices may be greater than options on securities, futures contracts or other investments. Because index options are settled in cash, when a Fund writes a call on an index it cannot provide in advance for its potential settlement obligations by acquiring and holding the underlying index. A Fund can offset some of the risk of writing a call index option by holding a diversified portfolio of securities or instruments similar to those on which the underlying index is based. However, a Fund cannot, as a practical matter, acquire and hold a portfolio containing exactly the same securities or instruments as those that underlie the index and, as a result, the Fund bears a risk that the value of the securities or instruments held will vary from the value of the index.
12
Even if a Fund could assemble a portfolio that exactly reproduced the composition of the underlying index, it still would not be fully covered from a risk standpoint because of the timing risk inherent in writing index options. When an index option is exercised, the amount of cash that the holder is entitled to receive is determined by the difference between the exercise price and the closing index level on the date when the option is exercised. As with other kinds of options, a Fund as the call writer will not learn of the assignment until the next business day at the earliest. The time lag between exercise and notice of assignment poses no risk for the writer of a covered call on a specific underlying security or instrument, such as common stock, because there the writers obligation is to deliver the underlying security or instrument, not to pay its value as of a fixed time in the past. So long as the writer already owns the underlying security or instrument, it can satisfy its settlement obligations by simply delivering it, and the risk that its value may have declined since the exercise date is borne by the exercising holder. In contrast, even if the writer of an index call holds investments that exactly match the composition of the underlying index, it will not be able to satisfy its assignment obligations by delivering those investments against payment of the exercise price. Instead, it will be required to pay cash in an amount based on the closing index value on the exercise date. By the time it learns that it has been assigned, the index may have declined, with a corresponding decline in the value of its portfolio. This timing risk is an inherent limitation on the ability of index call writers to cover their risk exposure by holding security or instrument positions.
If a Fund has purchased an index option and exercises it before the closing index value for that day is available, it runs the risk that the level of the underlying index may subsequently change. If such a change causes the exercised option to fall out-of-the-money, the Fund will be required to pay the difference between the closing index value and the exercise price of the option (times the applicable multiplier) to the assigned writer.
Risks Related to OTC Options. Unlike exchange-traded options, which are standardized with respect to the underlying instrument, expiration date, contract size, and strike price, the terms of OTC options (options not traded on exchanges) generally are established through negotiation with the other party to the option contract. While this type of arrangement allows a Fund great flexibility to tailor the option to its needs, OTC options generally involve greater risk than exchange-traded options, which are guaranteed by the clearing organization of the exchanges where they are traded. In addition, OTC options are generally considered illiquid by the SEC.
A Fund can use both European-style and American-style options. A European-style option is only exercisable immediately prior to its expiration. This is in contrast to American-style options, which are exercisable at any time prior to the expiration date of the option.
Foreign Currency Options. A Fund may use currency options, for example, to cross-hedge or to increase total return when the Subadviser anticipates that the currency will appreciate or depreciate in value. A Fund may additionally buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies as a hedge against changes in the value of the U.S. dollar (or another currency) in relation to a foreign currency in which the Funds securities may be denominated. A put option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to sell a foreign currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A call option on a foreign currency gives the purchaser of the option the right to purchase the currency at the exercise price until the option expires. A Fund might purchase a currency put option, for example, to protect itself during the contract period against a decline in the dollar value of a currency in which it holds or anticipates holding securities. If the currencys value should decline against the dollar, the loss in currency value should be offset, in whole or in part, by an increase in the value of the put. If the value of
13
the currency instead should rise against the dollar, any gain to a Fund would be reduced by the premium paid for the put option. A currency call option might be purchased, for example, in anticipation of, or to protect against, a rise in the value against the dollar of a currency in which the Fund anticipates purchasing securities.
A Fund may buy or sell put and call options on foreign currencies either on exchanges or in the OTC market. Currency options traded on U.S. or other exchanges may be subject to position limits which may limit the ability of a Fund to reduce foreign currency risk using such options. Listed options are third party contracts (i.e., performance of the obligations of the purchaser and seller is guaranteed by the exchange or clearing corporation), and have standardized strike prices and expiration dates. OTC options differ from listed options in that they are bilateral contracts with strike prices, expiration dates and other terms negotiated between buyer and seller, and generally do not have as much market liquidity as exchange-traded options. Under definitions adopted by the CFTC and SEC, many foreign currency options are considered swaps for certain purposes, including determination of whether such instruments need to be exchange-traded and centrally cleared, as discussed further in Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives below.
Additional Risks of Futures Contracts, Options on Futures Contracts, Options on Securities and Forward Currency Exchange Contracts and Options thereon. Options on securities, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, and options on currencies may be traded on foreign exchanges. Such transactions may not be regulated as effectively as similar transactions in the United States, may not involve a clearing mechanism and related guarantees and are subject to the risk of governmental actions affecting trading in, or the prices of, foreign securities. Some foreign exchanges may be principal markets so that no common clearing facility exists and a trader may look only to the broker for performance of the contract. The value of such positions also could be adversely affected by (i) other complex foreign political, legal and economic factors, (ii) lesser availability than in the United States of data on which to make trading decisions, (iii) delays in a Funds ability to act upon economic events occurring in foreign markets during non-business hours in the United States, (iv) the imposition of different exercise and settlement terms and procedures and margin requirements than in the United States and (v) lesser trading volume. In addition, unless a Fund hedges against fluctuations in the exchange rate between the U.S. dollar and the currencies in which trading is done on foreign exchanges, any profits that the Fund might realize in trading could be eliminated by adverse changes in the exchange rate, or the Fund could incur losses as a result of those changes.
The value of some derivative instruments in which a Fund may invest may be particularly sensitive to changes in prevailing interest rates, and, like the other investments of a Fund, the ability of a Fund to successfully utilize these instruments may depend in part upon the ability of the Subadviser to forecast interest rates and other economic factors correctly. If the Subadviser incorrectly forecasts such factors and has taken positions in derivative instruments contrary to prevailing market trends, a Fund could be exposed to risk of loss. In addition, a Funds use of such instruments may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) than if the Fund had not used such instruments.
Certain of a Funds investments in derivative instruments may produce a difference between its book income and its taxable income. If such a difference arises, and a Funds book income is less than its taxable income, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment and to avoid an entity-level tax. A Fund may be required to accrue and distribute imputed income from certain derivative investments on a current basis, even though the Fund does not receive the income currently. A Fund may have to sell other investments to obtain cash needed to make income distributions, which may reduce the Funds assets, increase its expense ratio and decrease its rate of return. For federal income tax information regarding derivative instruments, see Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters below.
14
Swap Agreements. To the extent permitted by applicable law or regulation, a Fund may engage in swap transactions, including, but not limited to swap transactions on interest rates, security indices (including broad-based security indices), specific securities and currency exchange rates. The Funds may also enter into total return swaps, which typically involve commitments to pay amounts computed in the same manner as interest in exchange for a market linked return.
The Funds may enter into swap transactions for any legal purpose consistent with its investment objectives and policies, such as attempting to obtain or preserve a particular return or spread at a lower cost than obtaining a return or spread through purchases and/or sales of instruments in other markets, to protect against currency fluctuations, as a duration management technique, to protect against any increase in the price of securities a Fund anticipates purchasing at a later date, or to gain exposure to certain markets in a more cost-efficient manner.
Swap agreements include two-party contracts entered into primarily by institutional investors for periods ranging from a few weeks to a number of years. Swap agreements are individually negotiated and structured to include exposure to a variety of types of investments or market factors. In a standard swap transaction, two parties agree to exchange the returns (or differentials in rates of return) earned or realized on particular predetermined investments or instruments, which may be adjusted for an interest factor. The gross returns to be exchanged or swapped between the parties are calculated with respect to a notional amount, such as the return on or increase in value of a particular dollar amount invested at a particular interest rate, or in a basket of securities representing a particular index. The notional amount of a swap transaction is the agreed upon basis for calculating the payments that the parties have agreed to exchange.
Most swap agreements entered into by the Funds calculate the obligations of the parties to the agreement on a net basis. Consequently, a Funds current obligations (or rights) under a swap agreement will generally be equal only to the net amount to be paid or received under the agreement based on the relative values of the positions held by each party to the agreement (the net amount). A Funds current obligations under a swap agreement will be accrued daily (offset against any amounts owing to the Fund from the counterparty) and any accrued but unpaid net amounts owed to a swap counterparty will be covered by segregating or earmarking assets determined to be liquid by the Subadviser in accordance with procedures established by the Board of Trustees, to avoid any potential leveraging of the Funds portfolio. A Fund may also cover swaps in accordance with applicable SEC guidelines. Obligations under swap agreements so covered will not be construed to be senior securities for purposes of the Funds investment restriction concerning senior securities. A Fund will not enter into a swap agreement with any single party that is engaged in a securities related business if the net amount owed or to be received under existing contracts with that party, along with investments in other securities issued by such counterparty, would exceed 5% of the Funds assets.
Whether a Funds use of swap agreements will be successful in furthering its investment objective will depend on many factors, including the Subadvisers ability to predict correctly whether certain types of investments are likely to produce greater returns than other investments. Certain restrictions imposed on the Funds by the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended (the Code), may limit the Funds ability to use swap agreements.
Because swaps are two-party contracts that may be subject to contractual restrictions on transferability and termination and because they may have terms of greater than seven calendar days, swap agreements may be considered to be illiquid. If a swap is not liquid, it may not be possible to initiate a transaction or liquidate a position at an advantageous time or price, which may result in significant losses, and a Funds obligation under such agreement, together with other illiquid assets and securities, will not exceed 15% of a Funds net assets.
15
Moreover, a Fund bears the risk of loss of the amount expected to be received under a swap agreement in the event of the default or bankruptcy of a swap agreement counterparty. A Fund will enter into swap agreements only with counterparties that meet certain standards of creditworthiness. However, when a counterpartys obligations are not fully secured by collateral, then the Fund is essentially an unsecured creditor of the counterparty. If the counterparty defaults, the Fund will have contractual remedies, but there is no assurance that a counterparty will be able to meet its obligations pursuant to such contracts or that, in the event of default, the Fund will succeed in enforcing contractual remedies. Counterparty risk still exists even if a counterpartys obligations are secured by collateral because the Funds interest in collateral may not be perfected or additional collateral may not be promptly posted as required. Counterparty risk also may be more pronounced if a counterpartys obligations exceed the amount of collateral held by the Fund, if any, the Fund is unable to exercise its interest in collateral upon default by the counterparty, or the termination value of the instrument varies significantly from the marked-to-market value of the instrument. Additionally, in the event of a counterpartys (or its affiliates) insolvency), a Funds ability to exercise remedies could be stayed or eliminated under new special resolution regimes adopted in various global jurisdictions (see Risk of Government Regulation of Derivatives below).
Transactions in some types of swaps (including certain interest rate swaps and credit default swaps) are required to be centrally cleared. In a transaction involving those swaps (cleared derivatives), a Funds counterparty is a clearing house rather than the original counterparty to the derivatives transaction (i.e., a bank or broker), so the Fund is subject to the credit risk of the clearing house and the member of the clearing house (clearing member) through which it holds its cleared position, rather than the credit risk of its original counterparty to the derivative transaction. Credit risk of market participants with respect to cleared derivatives is concentrated in a few clearing houses, and it is not clear how an insolvency proceeding of a clearing house would be conducted and what impact an insolvency of a clearing house would have on the financial system. A clearing member is generally obligated to segregate all funds received from customers with respect to cleared derivatives transactions from the clearing members proprietary assets. However, all funds and other property received by a clearing broker from its customers are generally held by the clearing broker on a commingled basis in an omnibus account, and the clearing member may invest those funds in certain instruments permitted under the applicable regulations. The assets of a Fund might not be fully protected in the event of the bankruptcy of the Funds clearing member, because the Fund would be limited to recovering only a pro rata share of all available funds segregated on behalf of the clearing brokers customers for a relevant account class. Also, the clearing member is required to transfer to the clearing organization the amount of margin required by the clearing organization for cleared derivatives, which amounts are generally held in an omnibus account at the clearing organization for all customers of the clearing member. Regulations promulgated by the CFTC require that the clearing member notify the clearing house of the amount of initial margin provided by the clearing member to the clearing organization that is attributable to each customer. However, if the clearing member does not provide accurate reporting, a Fund is subject to the risk that a clearing organization will use the Funds assets held in an omnibus account at the clearing organization to satisfy payment obligations of a defaulting customer of the clearing member to the clearing organization. In addition, if a clearing member does not comply with the applicable regulations or its agreement with a Fund, or in the event of fraud or misappropriation of customer assets by a clearing member, the Fund could have only an unsecured creditor claim in an insolvency of the clearing member with respect to the margin held by the clearing member. Further risks related to cleared derivatives transactions are discussed in Additional Risk Factors in Cleared Derivatives Transactions below.
16
Many OTC derivatives are complex and their valuation often requires modeling and judgment, which increases the risk of mispricing or incorrect valuation. The pricing models used may not produce valuations that are consistent with the values a Fund realizes when it closes or sells an OTC derivative. Valuation risk is more pronounced when a Fund enters into OTC derivatives with specialized terms because the market value of those derivatives in some cases is determined in part by reference to similar derivatives with more standardized terms. Incorrect valuations may result in increased cash payment requirements to counterparties, undercollateralization and/or errors in calculation of a Funds NAV.
A Fund may enter into interest rate and currency swap transactions and purchase or sell interest rate and currency caps and floors. A Fund will usually enter into interest rate swaps on a net basis (i.e. the two payment streams are netted out, with the Fund receiving or paying, as the case may be, only the net amount of the two payments). The net amount of the excess, if any, of a Funds obligations over its entitlement with respect to each interest rate or currency swap will be calculated on a daily basis and an amount of cash or other liquid assets having an aggregate NAV at least equal to the accrued excess will be maintained in a segregated account by the Funds custodian. If a Fund enters into an interest rate or currency swap on other than a net basis it will maintain a segregated account in the full amount accrued on a daily basis of its obligations with respect to the swap. The Funds will not enter into any interest rate or currency swap, cap or floor transaction unless the unsecured senior debt or the claims-paying ability of the other party thereto is rated at least high quality by at least one Nationally Recognized Statistical Rating Organization at the time of entering into such transaction.
Participatory Notes and Non-Standard Warrants. From time to time, the Funds may use non-standard warrants, including participatory notes (P-Notes), to gain exposure to issuers in certain countries. P-Notes are a type of equity-linked derivative that generally are traded OTC and constitute general unsecured contractual obligations of the banks or broker-dealers that issue them. Generally, banks and broker-dealers associated with non-U.S.-based brokerage firms buy securities listed on certain foreign exchanges and then issue P-Notes which are designed to replicate the performance of certain issuers and markets. The performance results of P-Notes will not replicate exactly the performance of the issuers or markets that the notes seek to replicate due to transaction costs and other expenses. The return on a P-Note that is linked to a particular underlying security generally is increased to the extent of any dividends paid in connection with the underlying security. However, the holder of a P-Note typically does not receive voting or other rights as it would if it directly owned the underlying security, and P-Notes present similar risks to investing directly in the underlying security. Additionally, P-Notes entail the same risks as other OTC derivatives. These include the risk that the counterparty or issuer of the P-Note may not be able to fulfill its obligations, that the holder and counterparty or issuer may disagree as to the meaning or application of contractual terms, or that the instrument may not perform as expected. Additionally, while P-Notes may be listed on an exchange, there is no guarantee that a liquid market will exist or that the counterparty or issuer of a P-Note will be willing to repurchase such instrument when a Fund wishes to sell it.
Risks of Government Regulation of Derivatives. It is possible that government regulation of various types of derivative instruments, including futures and swap agreements, may limit or prevent a Fund from using such instruments as a part of its investment strategy, and could ultimately prevent a Fund from being able to achieve its investment objective. It is impossible to predict fully the effects of legislation and regulation in this area, but the effects could be substantial and adverse.
The futures markets are subject to comprehensive statutes, regulations, and margin requirements. The SEC, the CFTC and the exchanges are authorized to take extraordinary actions in the event of a market emergency, including, for example, the implementation or reduction of speculative position limits, the implementation of higher margin requirements, the establishment of daily price limits and the suspension of trading.
17
The regulation of swaps and futures transactions in the U.S., the European Union (EU) and other jurisdictions is a rapidly changing area of law and is subject to modification by government and judicial action. Recent legislative and regulatory reforms, including the Dodd-Frank Wall Street Reform and Consumer Protection Act (the Dodd-Frank Act), have resulted in new regulation of swap agreements, including clearing, margin, reporting, recordkeeping and registration requirements for certain types of swaps contracts and other derivatives. Because these requirements are new and evolving, and certain of the rules are not yet final, their ultimate impact remains unclear. New regulations could, among other things, restrict a Funds ability to engage in swap transactions (for example, by making certain types of swap transactions no longer available to the Fund) and/or increase the costs of such swap transactions (for example, by increasing margin or capital requirements), and the Fund may as a result be unable to execute its investment strategies in a manner the Subadviser might otherwise choose. There is a possibility of future regulatory changes altering, perhaps to a material extent, the nature of an investment in a Fund or the ability of a Fund to continue to implement its investment strategies. New rules under the Dodd-Frank Act require certain OTC derivatives, including certain interest rate swaps and certain credit default swaps, to be executed on a regulated market and cleared through a central counterparty, which may result in increased margin requirements and costs for the Funds. (See Additional Risk Factors in Cleared Derivatives Transactions below.) It is also unclear how the regulatory changes will affect counter party risk.
Additionally, U.S. regulators, the EU and certain other jurisdictions have adopted minimum margin and capital requirements for uncleared OTC derivatives transactions. These rules impose minimum margin requirements on derivatives transactions between a Fund and its swap counterparties. They impose regulatory requirements on the timing of transferring margin. The Funds are already subject to variation margin requirements under such rules and may become subject to initial margin requirements under such rules in 2021. Such requirements could increase the amount of margin a Fund needs to provide in connection with uncleared derivatives transactions and, therefore, make such transactions more expensive.
Also, as described above, in the event of a counterpartys (or its affiliates) insolvency, a Funds ability to exercise remedies could be stayed or eliminated under special resolution regimes adopted in the United States, the EU and various other jurisdictions. Such regimes provide government authorities with broad authority to intervene when a financial institution is experiencing financial difficulty and may prohibit a Fund from exercising termination rights based on the financial institutions insolvency. In particular, in the EU, governmental authorities could reduce, eliminate or convert to equity the liabilities to the Funds of a counterparty experiencing financial difficulties (sometimes referred to as a bail in).
In addition, in November 2019, the SEC issued a release re-proposing a rule under the 1940 Act providing for the regulation of registered investment companies use of derivatives and certain related instruments. The ultimate impact, if any, of possible regulation remains unclear, but the proposed rule, if adopted, could, among other things, restrict a Funds ability to engage in derivatives transactions and/or increase the costs of such derivatives transactions such that a Fund may be unable to implement its investment strategy.
Additional Risk Factors in Cleared Derivatives Transactions. Transactions in some types of swaps (including interest rate swaps and credit default swaps on North American and European indices) are required to be centrally cleared, and additional types of swaps may be required to be centrally cleared in the future. In a transaction involving those swaps (cleared derivatives), a Funds counterparty is a clearing house, rather than a bank or broker. Since the Funds are not members of clearing houses and only clearing members can participate directly in the clearing house, the Funds will hold cleared derivatives through accounts at clearing members. In cleared derivatives transactions, a Fund will make payments (including margin payments) to and receive payments from a clearing house through its accounts at clearing members. Clearing members guarantee performance of their clients obligations to the clearing house.
18
In some ways, cleared derivative arrangements are less favorable to funds than bilateral arrangements. For example, a Fund may be required to provide more margin for cleared derivatives transactions than for bilateral derivatives transactions. Also, in contrast to a bilateral derivatives transaction, following a period of notice to a Fund, a clearing member generally can require termination of an existing cleared derivatives transaction at any time or an increase in margin requirements above the margin that the clearing member required at the beginning of a transaction. Clearing houses also have broad rights to increase margin requirements for existing transactions or to terminate those transactions at any time. Any increase in margin requirements or termination of existing cleared derivatives transactions by the clearing member or the clearing house could interfere with the ability of a Fund to pursue its investment strategy. Further, any increase in margin requirements by a clearing member could expose a Fund to greater credit risk to its clearing member, because margin for cleared derivatives transactions in excess of a clearing houses margin requirements typically is held by the clearing member. Also, a Fund is subject to risk if it enters into a derivatives transaction that is required to be cleared (or that the Investment Manager or Subadviser expects to be cleared), and no clearing member is willing or able to clear the transaction on the Funds behalf. In those cases, the transaction might have to be terminated, and a Fund could lose some or all of the benefit of the transaction, including loss of an increase in the value of the transaction and/or loss of hedging protection. In addition, the documentation governing the relationship between the Fund and clearing members is drafted by the clearing members and generally is less favorable to the Fund than typical bilateral derivatives documentation. For example, documentation relating to cleared derivatives generally includes a one-way indemnity by the Fund in favor of the clearing member for losses the clearing member incurs as the Funds clearing member and typically does not provide the Fund any remedies if the clearing member defaults or becomes insolvent. While futures contracts entail similar risks, the risks likely are more pronounced for cleared swaps due to their more limited liquidity and market history.
Some types of cleared derivatives are required to be executed on an exchange or on a swap execution facility. A swap execution facility is a trading platform where multiple market participants can execute derivatives by accepting bids and offers made by multiple other participants in the platform. While this execution requirement is designed to increase transparency and liquidity in the cleared derivatives market, trading on a swap execution facility can create additional costs and risks for a Fund. For example, swap execution facilities typically charge fees, and if a Fund executes derivatives on a swap execution facility through a broker intermediary, the intermediary may impose fees as well. Also, a Fund may be required to indemnify a swap execution facility, or a broker intermediary who executes cleared derivatives on a swap execution facility on the Funds behalf, against any losses or costs that may be incurred as a result of the Funds transactions on the swap execution facility. If a Fund wishes to execute a package of transactions that include a swap that is required to be executed on a swap execution facility as well as other transactions (for example, a transaction that includes both a security and an interest rate swap that hedges interest rate exposure with respect to such security), it is possible the Fund could not execute all components of the package on the swap execution facility. In that case, the Fund would need to trade certain components of the package on the swap execution facility and other components of the package in another manner, which could subject the Fund to the risk that certain of the components of the package would be executed successfully and others would not, or that the components would be executed at different times, leaving the Fund with an unhedged position for a period of time.
These and other new rules and regulations could, among other things, further restrict a Funds ability to engage in, or increase the cost to the Fund of, derivatives transactions, for example, by making some types of derivatives no longer available to the Fund, increasing margin or capital requirements, or otherwise limiting liquidity or increasing transaction costs. The implementation of the clearing
19
requirement has increased the costs of derivatives transactions for the Funds, since a Fund has to pay fees to its clearing members and is typically required to post more margin for cleared derivatives than it has historically posted for bilateral derivatives. The costs of derivatives transactions may increase further as clearing members raise their fees to cover the costs of additional capital requirements and other regulatory changes applicable to the clearing members. Certain aspects of these regulations are still being implemented, so their potential impact on the Funds and the financial system are not yet known. While the regulations and central clearing of some derivatives transactions are designed to reduce systemic risk (i.e., the risk that the interdependence of large derivatives dealers could cause them to suffer liquidity, solvency or other challenges simultaneously), there is no assurance that the mechanisms imposed under the regulations will achieve that result, and in the meantime, as noted above, central clearing, minimum margin requirements and related requirements expose the Funds to new kinds of risks and costs.
Segregated Accounts or Cover. A Fund will comply with SEC guidelines regarding covering certain financial transactions, including options, futures contracts, options on futures, forward contracts, swaps and other derivative transactions, and will, if the guidelines require, segregate or earmark on its books cash or other liquid assets in the prescribed amount as determined daily. In addition to the methods of segregating assets or otherwise covering such transactions described in this SAI, a Fund may cover the transactions using other methods currently or in the future permitted under the 1940 Act, the rules and regulations thereunder or orders issued by the SEC thereunder. For these purposes, interpretations and guidance provided by the SEC staff may be taken into account when deemed appropriate by a Fund.
Assets used as cover cannot be sold while the position in the corresponding instrument is open, unless they are replaced with other appropriate assets. As a result, the commitment of a large portion of a Funds assets to cover in accounts could impede portfolio management or the Funds ability to meet redemption requests or other current obligations.
(5) |
Emerging Market Securities |
Investments in securities in emerging market countries may be considered to be speculative and may have additional risks from those associated with investing in the securities of U.S. issuers. There may be limited information available to investors that is publicly available, and generally emerging market issuers are not subject to uniform accounting, auditing and financial standards and requirements like those required by U.S. issuers.
Investors should be aware that the value of a Funds investments in emerging markets securities may be adversely affected by changes in the political, economic or social conditions, embargoes, economic sanctions, expropriation, nationalization, limitation on the removal of funds or assets, controls, tax regulations and other restrictions in emerging market countries. These risks may be more severe than those experienced in non-emerging market countries. Emerging market securities trade with less frequency and volume than domestic securities and, therefore, may have greater price volatility and lack liquidity. Furthermore, there is often no legal structure governing private or foreign investment or private property in some emerging market countries. This may adversely affect a Funds operations and the ability to obtain a judgment against an issuer in an emerging market country.
(6) |
Equity Investments |
Each Fund may invest in equity securities subject to any restrictions set forth in the Prospectus and this SAI. These securities may include securities listed on any domestic or foreign securities exchange and securities traded in the OTC market. More information on the various types of equity investments in which the Funds may invest appears below.
20
Common Stock. Common stocks are securities that represent a unit of ownership in a corporation. A Funds transactions in common stock represent long transactions where the Fund owns the securities being sold, or will own the securities being purchased. Prices of common stocks will rise and fall due to a variety of factors, which include changing economic, political or market conditions that affect particular industries or companies.
Large-capitalization companies tend to compete in mature product markets and do not typically experience the level of sustained growth of smaller companies and companies competing in less mature product markets. Also, large-capitalization companies may be unable to respond as quickly as smaller companies to competitive challenges or changes in business, product, financial, or other market conditions.
The stocks of small- and mid-capitalization companies involve more risk than the stocks of larger, more established companies because they often have greater price volatility, lower trading volume, and less liquidity. These companies tend to have smaller revenues, narrower product lines, less management depth and experience, smaller shares of their product or service markets, fewer financial resources, and less competitive strength than larger companies.
Convertible Securities. A convertible security is a bond, debenture, note, preferred stock or other security that may be converted into or exchanged for a prescribed amount of common stock of the same or a different issuer within a particular period of time at a specified price or formula. A convertible security entitles the holder to receive interest paid or accrued on debt or the dividend paid on preferred stock until the convertible security matures or is redeemed, converted or exchanged. Before conversion, convertible securities ordinarily provide a stable stream of income with generally higher yields than those of common stocks of the same or similar issuers, but lower than the yield on non-convertible debt. Convertible securities are usually subordinated to comparable tier non-convertible securities but rank senior to common stock in a corporations capital structure.
The value of a convertible security is a function of (1) its yield in comparison with the yields of other securities of comparable maturity and quality that do not have a conversion privilege and (2) its worth, at market value, if converted into the underlying common stock. Convertible securities are typically issued by smaller capitalized companies, whose stock prices may be volatile. The price of a convertible security often reflects such variations in the price of the underlying common stock in a way that non-convertible debt does not. A convertible security may be subject to redemption at the option of the issuer at a price established in the convertible securitys governing instrument, which could have an adverse effect on a Funds ability to achieve its investment objective.
Depositary Receipts. The Funds may invest in depositary receipts, including, but not limited to, Global Depositary Receipts (GDRs), American Depositary Receipts (ADRs), European Depositary Receipts (EDRs) and Non-Voting Depositary Receipts (NVDRs). GDRs are negotiable certificates held in the bank of one country representing a specific number of shares of a stock traded on an exchange of another country. ADRs are negotiable receipts issued by a United States bank or trust company, trade in U.S. markets and evidence ownership of securities in a foreign company which have been deposited with such bank or trusts office or agent in a foreign country. EDRs are European receipts evidencing a similar arrangement. NVDRs are trading instruments issued by the Thai NVDR Company Limited, a subsidiary wholly owned by The Stock Exchange of Thailand (the SET), intended to stimulate trading activity in the Thai stock market. NVDRs are automatically regarded as listed securities in the SET. Generally, ADRs, in registered form, are designed for use in the U.S. securities markets and EDRs, in bearer form, are designed for use in European securities markets. GDRs are receipts that may trade in U.S. or non-U.S. markets. Positions in GDRs, ADRs and EDRs are not necessarily denominated in the same currency as the common stocks into which they may be converted. With respect to investments in
21
NVDRs, investors will receive all financial benefits, e.g., dividends and right issues, as if they had invested in a companys ordinary shares, except that NVDR holders do not have the voting rights associated with the shares.
Investing in depositary receipts presents risks not present to the same degree as investing in domestic securities even though a Fund will purchase, sell and be paid dividends on depositary receipts in U.S. dollars. These risks include fluctuations in currency exchange rates, which are affected by international balances of payments and other economic and financial conditions; government intervention; speculation; and other factors. With respect to certain foreign countries, there is the possibility of expropriation or nationalization of assets, confiscatory taxation and political, social and economic instability. A Fund may be required to pay foreign withholding or other taxes on certain of its depositary receipts. A Fund may not be eligible to elect or may not elect to permit United States shareholders to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of any foreign income taxes paid by the Fund. In such case, the foreign taxes paid or withheld will nonetheless reduce the Funds taxable income. See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters below. Unsponsored depositary receipts are offered by companies which are not prepared to meet either the reporting or accounting standards of the United States. While readily exchangeable with stock in local markets, unsponsored depositary receipts may be less liquid than sponsored depositary receipts. Additionally, there generally is less publicly available information with respect to unsponsored depositary receipts.
Initial Public Offerings (IPOs). Each Fund may purchase securities in IPOs. These securities are subject to many of the same risks as investing in companies with smaller market capitalizations. Securities issued in IPOs have no trading history, and information about the companies may be available for very limited periods. The prices of securities sold in IPOs may be highly volatile. At any particular time or from time to time, a Fund may not be able to invest in securities issued in IPOs, or invest to the extent desired, because, for example, only a small portion, if any, of the securities being offered in an IPO may be made available to the Fund. In addition, under certain market conditions, a relatively small number of companies may issue securities in IPOs. Similarly, as the number of funds to which IPO securities are allocated increases, the number of securities issued to any one fund may decrease. The investment performance of a Fund during periods when it is unable to invest significantly or at all in IPOs may be lower than during periods when the Fund is able to do so. In addition, as a Fund increases in size, the impact of IPOs on the Funds performance will generally decrease.
Preferred Stock. Preferred stock pays dividends at a specified rate and generally has preference over common stock in the payment of dividends and the liquidation of the issuers assets but is junior to the debt securities of the issuer in those same respects. Unlike interest payments on debt securities, dividends on preferred stock are generally payable at the discretion of the issuers board of directors, and shareholders may suffer a loss of value if dividends are not paid. Preferred shareholders generally have no legal recourse against the issuer if dividends are not paid. The market prices of preferred stocks are subject to changes in interest rates and are more sensitive to changes in the issuers creditworthiness than are the prices of debt securities. Under ordinary circumstances, preferred stock does not carry voting rights. Prices of preferred stocks may rise and fall rapidly and unpredictably due to a variety of factors, which include changing economic, political or market conditions that affect particular industries or companies. Preferred stocks of smaller companies may be more vulnerable to adverse developments than those of larger companies.
(7) |
Foreign Securities |
Each Fund may invest in foreign securities, subject to any restrictions set forth in the Prospectus and this SAI. Each Fund may invest in foreign issuers or in securities principally traded outside the United States, including emerging markets securities. Each Fund may invest in securities of non-U.S. issuers directly or in the form of ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, NVDRs or other securities representing underlying shares of foreign issuers, described under Depositary Receipts above.
22
Investment in securities of foreign entities, whether directly or indirectly in the form of ADRs, EDRs, GDRs, NVDRs or similar instruments, and securities denominated in foreign currencies involves risks typically not present to the same degree in domestic investments. Such risks include potential future adverse political and economic developments, possible embargoes or economic sanctions on a country, sector or issuer, possible imposition of withholding or other taxes on interest or other income, possible seizure, nationalization or expropriation of foreign deposits, possible establishment of exchange controls or taxation at the source, greater fluctuations in value due to changes in exchange rates, or the adoption of other foreign governmental restrictions which might adversely affect the payment of principal and interest on such obligations. In addition, there may be less publicly available information about foreign issuers or securities than about U.S. issuers or securities, foreign investments may be effected through structures that may be complex or obfuscatory, and foreign issuers are often subject to accounting, auditing and financial reporting standards and requirements and engage in business practices different from those of domestic issuers of similar securities or obligations. With respect to unsponsored ADRs, these programs cover securities of companies that are not required to meet either the reporting or accounting standards of the United States. Foreign issuers also are usually not subject to the same degree of regulation as domestic issuers, and many foreign financial markets, while generally growing in volume, continue to experience substantially less volume than domestic markets, and securities of many foreign companies are less liquid and their prices are more volatile than the securities of comparable U.S. companies. In addition, brokerage commissions, custodial services and other costs related to investment in foreign markets (particularly emerging markets) generally are more expensive than in the United States. Such foreign markets also may have longer settlement periods than markets in the United States as well as different settlement and clearance procedures. In certain markets, there have been times when settlements have been unable to keep pace with the volume of securities transactions, making it difficult to conduct such transactions. The inability of a Fund to make intended securities purchases due to settlement problems could cause the Fund to miss attractive investment opportunities. Inability to dispose of a portfolio security caused by settlement problems could result either in losses to a Fund due to subsequent declines in value of a portfolio security or, if the Fund had entered into a contract to sell the security, could result in possible liability to the purchaser. Settlement procedures in certain emerging markets also carry with them a heightened risk of loss due to the failure of the broker or other service provider to deliver cash or securities.
The value of a Funds portfolio securities computed in U.S. dollars will vary with increases and decreases in the exchange rate between the currencies in which the Fund has invested and the U.S. dollar. A decline in the value of any particular currency against the U.S. dollar will cause a decline in the U.S. dollar value of a Funds holdings of securities denominated in such currency and, therefore, will cause an overall decline in the Funds NAV and net investment income and capital gains, if any, to be distributed in U.S. dollars to shareholders by the Fund. A Fund may be required to liquidate other assets in order to make up the shortfall.
The rate of exchange between the U.S. dollar and other currencies is influenced by many factors, including the supply and demand for particular currencies, central bank efforts to support particular currencies, the movement of interest rates, the price of oil, the pace of activity in the industrial countries, including the United States, and other economic and financial conditions affecting the world economy.
A Fund may purchase securities that are issued by the government, a corporation, or a financial institution of one nation but denominated in the currency of another nation. To the extent that a Fund invests in ADRs, the depositary bank generally pays cash dividends in U.S. dollars regardless of the currency in which such dividends originally are paid by the issuer of the underlying security.
23
Several of the countries in which a Fund may invest restrict, to varying degrees, foreign investments in their securities markets. Governmental and private restrictions take a variety of forms, including (i) limitation on the amount of funds that may be invested into or repatriated from the country (including limitations on repatriation of investment income and capital gains), (ii) prohibitions or substantial restrictions on foreign investment in certain industries or market sectors, such as defense, energy and transportation, (iii) restrictions (whether contained in the charter of an individual company or mandated by the government) on the percentage of securities of a single issuer which may be owned by a foreign investor, (iv) limitations on the types of securities which a foreign investor may purchase and (v) restrictions on a foreign investors right to invest in companies whose securities are not publicly traded. In some circumstances, these restrictions may limit or preclude investment in certain countries. Investments in such countries may only be permitted through foreign government approved or authorized investment vehicles, which may include other investment companies. Therefore, a Fund may invest in such countries through the purchase of shares of investment companies organized under the laws of such countries. In addition, it may be less expensive and more expedient for a Fund to invest in a foreign investment company in a country which permits direct foreign investment. Please see Investment Company Securities below for more information on the risks of investing in other investment companies.
Unexpected political, regulatory and diplomatic events within the United States and abroad, such as the U.S.-China trade war that intensified in 2018, may affect investor and consumer confidence and may adversely impact financial markets and the broader economy, perhaps suddenly and to a significant degree. The current political climate and the further escalation of a trade war between China and the United States may have an adverse effect on both the U.S. and Chinese economies, as each country has recently imposed tariffs on the other countrys products. In January 2020, the U.S. and China signed a Phase 1 trade agreement that reduced some U.S. tariffs on Chinese goods while boosting Chinese purchases of American goods. However, this agreement left in place a number of existing tariffs, and it is unclear whether further trade agreements may be reached in the future. Events such as these and their impact on the Funds are difficult to predict and it is unclear whether further tariffs may be imposed or other escalating actions may be taken in the future.
A Funds interest and dividend income from, or proceeds from the sale or other disposition of the securities of, foreign issuers may be subject to non-U.S. withholding and other foreign taxes. A Fund also may be subject to taxes on trading profits in some countries. In addition, certain countries impose a transfer or stamp duties tax on certain securities transactions. The imposition of these taxes may decrease the net return on foreign investments as compared to dividends and interest paid to a Fund by domestic companies, and thus increase the cost to the Fund of investing in any country imposing such taxes. A Fund may not be eligible to elect or may not elect to permit United States shareholders to claim a credit or deduction for U.S. federal income tax purposes to the extent of any foreign income taxes paid by the Fund. In such case, the foreign taxes paid or withheld will nonetheless reduce the Funds taxable income. See Certain U.S. Federal Income Tax Matters below.
The risks of foreign investing are of greater concern in the case of investments in emerging markets, which may exhibit greater price volatility and risk of principal, have less liquidity and have settlement arrangements which are less efficient than in developed markets. Furthermore, the economies of emerging market countries generally are heavily dependent upon international trade and, accordingly, have been and may continue to be adversely affected by trade barriers, managed adjustments in relative currency values, and other protectionist measures imposed or negotiated by the countries with which they trade. These emerging market economies also have been and may continue to be adversely affected by economic conditions in the countries with which they trade. See Emerging Market Securities above.
24
(8) |
Forward Commitments |
Each Fund may make contracts to purchase securities on a forward commitment basis for a fixed price at a future date beyond the customary settlement period for such securities (forward commitments) if the Fund segregates liquid assets, consisting of cash, U.S. Government securities or other appropriate securities, in an amount at least equal to the amount of the Funds commitments. Forward commitments involve a risk of loss if the value of the securities to be purchased declines prior to the settlement date, which risk is in addition to the risk of decline in value of a Funds other assets. A Fund may dispose of a commitment prior to settlement and may realize short-term capital gains or losses upon such disposition. Purchasing securities on a forward commitment basis can also involve the risk of default by the other party on its obligation, delaying or preventing the Fund from recovering the collateral or completing the transaction.
(9) |
Illiquid Securities, Private Placements and Certain Unregistered Securities |
Each Fund may invest in privately placed, restricted, Rule 144A or other unregistered securities. Rule 144A securities are securities that are eligible for resale without registration under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the 1933 Act), pursuant to Rule 144A under the 1933 Act. A Fund may not acquire illiquid holdings if, as a result, more than 15% of its net assets would be in illiquid investments. If a Fund determines at any time that it owns illiquid securities in excess of 15% of its net assets, it will cease to undertake new commitments to acquire illiquid securities until its holdings are no longer in excess of 15% of its NAV, and, depending on circumstances, may take additional steps to reduce its holdings of illiquid securities. Subject to these limitations, a Fund may acquire investments that are illiquid or have limited liquidity, such as private placements or investments that are not registered under the 1933 Act and cannot be offered for public sale in the United States without first being registered under the 1933 Act. An investment is considered illiquid if the Fund reasonably expects the investment cannot be sold or disposed of in current market conditions in seven (7) calendar days or less without the sale or disposition significantly changing the market value of the investment. The price a Funds portfolio may pay for illiquid securities or receive upon resale may be lower than the price paid or received for similar securities with a more liquid market. Accordingly, the valuation of these securities will take into account any limitations on their liquidity.
The SEC has adopted a liquidity risk management rule (the Liquidity Rule) that requires the Funds to establish a liquidity risk management program (the LRMP). The Trustees, including a majority of the Independent Trustees (defined infra), have designated the Investment Manager to administer the Funds LRMP and the Investment Manager has formed a Liquidity Risk Management Committee to which it has delegated responsibilities for the ongoing operation and management of the LRMP. Under the LRMP, the Investment Manager assesses, manages, and periodically reviews the Funds liquidity risk. The Liquidity Rule defines liquidity risk as the risk that the Funds could not meet requests to redeem shares issued by the Funds without significant dilution of remaining investors interests in the Funds. The liquidity of the Funds portfolio investments is determined based on relevant market, trading and investment-specific considerations under the LRMP. To the extent that an investment is deemed to be an illiquid investment or a less liquid investment, the Funds can expect to be exposed to greater liquidity risk.
Rule 144A securities may be determined to be liquid or illiquid in accordance with the guidelines established by the Investment Manager and approved by the Trustees. The Trustees will monitor compliance with these guidelines on a periodic basis. Investment in these securities entails the risk to a Fund that there may not be a buyer for these securities at a price that a Fund believes represents the securitys value should the Fund wish to sell the security. If a security a Fund holds must be registered under the 1933 Act before it may be sold, the Fund may be obligated to pay all or part of the registration
25
expenses. In addition, in these circumstances, a considerable time may elapse between the time of the decision to sell and the time the Fund may be permitted to sell a security under an effective registration statement. If, during such a period, adverse market conditions develop, the Fund may obtain a less favorable price than when it first decided to sell the security.
(10) |
Interfund Lending |
To satisfy redemption requests or to cover unanticipated cash shortfalls (due to sales fails or other factors), the Funds have entered into a master interfund lending agreement (Interfund Lending Agreement) under which a Fund would lend money and borrow money for temporary purposes directly to and from another eligible fund in the AMG Fund Complex through a credit facility (each an Interfund Loan), subject to meeting the conditions of an SEC exemptive order granted to the Fund permitting such interfund lending. No Fund may borrow more than the lesser of the amount permitted by Section 18 of the 1940 Act, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as modified by the above mentioned and any other applicable SEC exemptive order or other relief, or the amount permitted by its fundamental investment restrictions. All Interfund Loans will consist only of uninvested cash reserves that the Fund otherwise would invest in short-term repurchase agreements or other short-term instruments either directly or through a money market fund.
If a Fund has outstanding borrowings, any Interfund Loans to the Fund (a) will be at an interest rate equal to or lower than any outstanding bank loan, (b) will be secured at least on an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding bank loan that requires collateral, (c) will have a maturity no longer than any outstanding bank loan (and in any event not over seven days) and (d) will provide that, if an event of default occurs under any agreement evidencing an outstanding bank loan to the Fund, the event of default will automatically (without need for action or notice by the lending fund) constitute an immediate event of default under the Interfund Lending Agreement entitling the lending fund to call the Interfund Loan (and exercise all rights with respect to any collateral) and that such call will be made if the lending bank exercises its right to call its loan under its agreement with the borrowing fund.
A Fund may make an unsecured borrowing through the credit facility if its outstanding borrowings from all sources immediately after the interfund borrowing total 10% or less of its total assets; provided, that if the Fund has a secured loan outstanding from any other lender, including but not limited to another eligible fund in the AMG Fund Complex, the Funds Interfund Loan will be secured on at least an equal priority basis with at least an equivalent percentage of collateral to loan value as any outstanding loan that requires collateral. If a Funds total outstanding borrowings immediately after an interfund borrowing would be greater than 10% of its total assets, the Fund may borrow through the credit facility only on a secured basis. A Fund may not borrow through the credit facility nor from any other source if its total outstanding borrowings immediately after the interfund borrowing would exceed the limits imposed by Section 18 of the 1940 Act or the Funds fundamental investment restrictions.
No Fund may lend to another eligible fund in the AMG Fund Complex through the interfund lending credit facility if the Interfund Loan would cause its aggregate outstanding loans through the credit facility to exceed 15% of the lending funds current net assets at the time of the Interfund Loan. A Funds Interfund Loans to any one fund shall not exceed 5% of the lending funds net assets. The duration of Interfund Loans is limited to the time required to receive payment for securities sold, but in no event may the duration exceed seven days. Interfund Loans effected within seven days of each other will be treated as separate loan transactions for purposes of this condition. Each Interfund Loan may be called on one business days notice by a lending fund and may be repaid on any day by a borrowing fund.
The limitations detailed above and the other conditions of the SEC exemptive order permitting interfund lending are designed to minimize the risks associated with interfund lending for both the
26
lending fund and the borrowing fund. However, no borrowing or lending activity is without risk. When a Fund borrows money from another fund, there is a risk that the Interfund Loan could be called on one days notice or not renewed, in which case the Fund may have to borrow from a bank at higher rates if an Interfund Loan were not available from another fund. A delay in repayment to a lending fund could result in a lost opportunity or additional lending costs.
(11) |
Investment Company Securities |
The Funds may invest some portion of their assets in shares of other investment companies, including exchange-traded funds (ETFs) and money market funds, to the extent that they may facilitate achieving the investment objectives of the Funds or to the extent that they afford the principal or most practical means of access to a particular market or markets or they represent attractive investments in their own right. A Funds purchase of shares of investment companies may result in the payment by a shareholder of duplicative management fees. The Investment Manager and Subadviser for each Fund will consider such fees in determining whether to invest in other investment companies. A Fund will invest only in investment companies, or classes thereof, that do not charge a sales load; however, the Fund may invest in such companies with distribution plans and fees, and may pay customary brokerage commissions to buy and sell shares of closed-end investment companies and ETFs.
The return on a Funds investments in investment companies will be reduced by the operating expenses, including investment advisory and administrative fees, of such companies. A Funds investments in a closed-end investment company may require the payment of a premium above the NAV of the investment companys shares, and the market price of the investment company thereafter may decline without any change in the value of the investment companys assets. A Fund, however, will not invest in any investment company or trust unless it is believed that the potential benefits of such investment are sufficient to warrant the payment of any such premium.
The provisions of the 1940 Act may impose certain limitations on a Funds investments in other investment companies. In particular, each Funds investments in investment companies are limited to, subject to certain exceptions, (i) 3% of the total outstanding voting stock of any one investment company, (ii) 5% of the Funds total assets with respect to any one investment company, and (iii) 10% of the Funds total assets with respect to investment companies in the aggregate (the Limitation). Each Fund may be able to rely on an exemption from the Limitation if (i) the investment company in which the Fund would like to invest has received an order for exemptive relief from the Limitation from the SEC that is applicable to the Fund; and (ii) the investment company and the Fund take appropriate steps to comply with any terms and conditions in such order. In addition, pursuant to rules adopted by the SEC, each Fund may invest (1) in shares issued by money market funds, including certain unregistered money market funds, and (2) in shares issued by affiliated funds in excess of the Limitation.
As an exception to the above, each Fund has the authority to invest all of its assets in the securities of a single open-end investment company with substantially the same fundamental investment objectives, restrictions, and policies as that of the Fund. Each Fund will notify its shareholders prior to initiating such an arrangement.
In December 2018, the SEC proposed new Rule 12d1-4 under the 1940 Act, which is designed to streamline and enhance the regulatory framework for fund of funds arrangements. That rule, if adopted as proposed, could impact a Funds ability to invest in other investment companies or pooled investment vehicles by, among other things, restricting a Funds ability to redeem or vote shares issued by such funds.
The Funds may seek to invest in ETFs that have received an exemptive order from the SEC permitting investment by other funds in the ETFs in excess of the Limitation, provided that the Funds enter into and comply with the terms and conditions of an agreement with each ETF, and the Funds comply with the ETFs exemptive order.
27
ETFs that are linked to a specific index may not be able to replicate and maintain exactly the composition and relative weighting of investments underlying the applicable index and will incur certain expenses not incurred by their applicable index. Certain investments comprising the index tracked by an ETF may, at times, be temporarily unavailable, which may impede an ETFs ability to track its index.
The market value of ETF shares may differ from their NAV per share. This difference in price may be due to the fact that the supply and demand in the market for ETF shares at any point in time is not always identical to the value of the underlying investments that the ETF holds. There may be times when an ETF share trades at a premium or discount to its NAV.
(12) |
Participations |
Each Fund may invest in loan participations or assignments. In purchasing a loan participation or assignment, a Fund acquires some or all of the interest of a bank or other lending institution in a loan to a corporate borrower. Both the lending bank and the borrower may be deemed to be issuers of a loan participation. Many such loans are secured and most impose restrictive covenants which must be met by the borrower and which are generally more stringent than the covenants available in publicly traded debt securities. However, interests in some loans may not be secured, and a Fund will be exposed to a risk of loss if the borrower defaults. There is no assurance that the collateral can be liquidated in particular cases, or that its liquidation value will be equal to the value of the debt. Loan participations may also be purchased by a Fund when the borrowing company is already in default. Borrowers that are in bankruptcy may pay only a small portion of the amount owed, if they are able to pay at all. Where a Fund purchases a loan through an assignment, there is a possibility that the Fund will, in the event the borrower is unable to pay the loan, become the owner of the collateral. This involves certain risks to a Fund as a property owner.
In purchasing a loan participation, a Fund may have less protection under the federal securities laws than it has in purchasing traditional types of securities. Loans are often administered by a lead bank, which acts as agent for the lenders in dealing with the borrower. In asserting rights against the borrower, a Fund may be dependent on the willingness of the lead bank to assert these rights, or upon a vote of all the lenders to authorize the action. Assets held by the lead bank for the benefit of a Fund may be subject to claims of the lead banks creditors. A Funds ability to assert its rights against the borrower will also depend on the particular terms of the loan agreement among the parties. Many of the interests in loans purchased by a Fund will be illiquid and therefore subject to the Funds limit on illiquid investments.
(13) |
Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) |
Each Fund may invest in REITs, which are pooled investment vehicles that invest primarily in income-producing real estate or real estate related loans or interest.
REITs are generally classified as equity REITs, mortgage REITs or a combination of equity and mortgage REITs. Equity REITs invest the majority of their assets directly in real property and derive income primarily from the collection of rents. Equity REITs can also realize capital gains by selling properties that have appreciated in value. Mortgage REITs invest the majority of their assets in real estate mortgages and derive income from the collection of interest payments. Like regulated investment companies such as a Fund, REITs are not taxed on income distributed to shareholders provided that they comply with certain requirements under the Code. A Fund will indirectly bear its proportionate share of any expenses paid by REITs in which it invests in addition to the expenses paid by the Fund.
28
Investing in REITs involves certain unique risks. Equity REITs may be affected by changes in the value of the underlying property owned by such REITs, while mortgage REITs may be affected by the quality of any credit extended. REITs are dependent upon management skills, are not diversified (except to the extent the Code requires), and are subject to the risk of financing projects. During periods of declining interest rates, certain mortgage REITs may hold mortgages that the mortgagors elect to prepay, and such prepayment may diminish the yield on securities issued by such mortgage REITs. REITs are subject to heavy cash flow dependency, defaults by borrowers, self-liquidation, and the possibility of failing to qualify for the special tax treatment accorded REITs under the Code and failing to maintain their exemption from the 1940 Act. REITs, and mortgage REITs in particular, are also subject to interest rate risk.
(14) |
Reverse Repurchase Agreements |
In a reverse repurchase agreement, a Fund sells a security and agrees to repurchase the same security at a price and on a date mutually agreed-upon by the parties. The difference between the repurchase price and the original price is the reverse repurchase agreement rate, which reflects the interest rate in effect for the term of the agreement. For the purposes of the 1940 Act, a reverse repurchase agreement can be viewed as the borrowing of money by a Fund and, therefore, a form of leverage which may magnify any gains or losses for the Fund, but for which the Fund is not required to have 300% asset coverage.
A Fund will invest the proceeds of borrowings under reverse repurchase agreements. In addition, a Fund will enter into reverse repurchase agreements only when the interest income to be earned from the investment of the proceeds is more than the interest expense of the transaction. A Fund will not invest the proceeds of a reverse repurchase agreement for a period that is longer than the terms of the reverse repurchase agreement itself. A Fund will earmark or establish and maintain a segregated account with the custodian consisting of liquid assets in an amount equal to the amount of its obligation under the reverse repurchase agreement.
(15) |
Securities Lending |
Each Fund may lend its portfolio securities in order to realize additional income. This lending is subject to the Funds policies and restrictions. A Fund may lend its investment securities so long as (i) the loan is secured by collateral having a market value at all times not less than 102% (105% in the case of certain foreign securities) of the value of the securities loaned, (ii) such collateral is marked to market on a daily basis, (iii) the loan is subject to termination by the Fund at any time, and (iv) the Fund receives reasonable interest on the loan. When cash is received as collateral, each Fund will invest the cash received in short-term instruments to earn additional income. The Fund will bear the risk of any loss on any such investment; however, the Funds securities lending agent has agreed to indemnify each Fund against loss on the investment of the cash collateral. The Fund may pay reasonable finders, administrative and custodial fees to persons that are unaffiliated with the Fund for services in connection with loans of portfolio securities. While voting rights may pass with the loaned portfolio securities, to the extent possible, the loan will be recalled on a reasonable efforts basis and the securities voted by the Fund. The Bank of New York Mellon serves as the Funds securities lending agent.
(16) |
Structured Notes, Equity-Linked Notes and Other Hybrid Instruments |
The Funds may invest in structured notes as part of their overall investment strategy. Structured notes are privately negotiated debt obligations in which the principal and/or interest is determined by reference to the performance of a benchmark asset, market or interest rate, such as selected securities, an index of securities or specified interest rates, or the differential performance of two assets or markets, such as indices reflecting bonds. Depending on the terms of the note, a Fund may forgo all or part of the
29
interest and principal that would be payable on a comparable conventional note. The rate of return on structured notes may be determined by applying a multiplier to the performance or differential performance of the referenced index(es) or other asset(s). Application of a multiplier involves leverage which will serve to magnify the potential for gain and the risk of loss. Like other sophisticated strategies, a Funds use of structured notes may not work as intended; for example, by reducing the duration of a Funds portfolio, structured notes may limit the Funds return when having a longer duration would be beneficial (for instance, when interest rates decline). Structured instruments may be considered illiquid.
The Funds may invest, as part of their overall investment strategy, in equity-linked notes. An equity-linked note is a note, typically issued by a company or financial institution, whose performance is tied to a single stock, a basket of stocks, or a stock index. Generally, upon the maturity of the note, the holder receives a return of principal based on the capital appreciation of the linked securities. The terms of an equity-linked note may also provide for the periodic interest payments to holders at either a fixed or floating rate. Because the notes are equity linked, a Fund may lose some or all of its investment in a note due to a decline in value of the linked security or securities. The maximum return on a note may be limited to a specified amount, so even if the Subadvisers view of the underlying stock(s) or index is correct, the gain may be limited. There is no guarantee that a specific, or any, return or yield on an investment will be made. To the extent a Fund invests in equity-linked notes issued by foreign issuers, it will be subject to the risks associated with the debt securities of foreign issuers and with securities denominated in foreign currencies. There is also the possibility that a note issuer may default on its obligations under the note.
The Funds may invest, as part of their overall investment strategy, in other types of hybrid instruments that combine the characteristics of securities, futures and options. For example, the principal amount or interest rate of a hybrid could be tied (positively or negatively) to the price of some currency or securities index or another interest rate (each a benchmark). The interest rate or (unlike most debt obligations) the principal amount payable at maturity of a hybrid security may be increased or decreased, depending on changes in the value of the benchmark. Hybrids can be used as an efficient means of pursuing a variety of investment goals, including duration management and increased total return. Hybrids may not bear interest or pay dividends. The value of a hybrid or its interest rate may be a multiple of a benchmark and, as a result, may be leveraged and move (up or down) more steeply and rapidly than the benchmark. These benchmarks may be sensitive to economic and political events that cannot be readily foreseen by the purchaser of a hybrid. Under certain conditions, the redemption value of a hybrid could be zero. Thus, an investment in a hybrid may entail significant market risks that are not associated with a similar investment in a traditional, U.S. dollar-denominated bond that has a fixed principal amount and pays a fixed rate or floating rate of interest. The purchase of hybrids also exposes a Fund to the credit risk of the issuer of the hybrids. These risks may cause significant fluctuations in the NAV of a Fund.
Certain issuers of structured products such as hybrid instruments may be deemed to be investment companies as defined in the 1940 Act. As a result, a Funds investments in these products may be subject to limits applicable to investments in investment companies and may be subject to restrictions contained in the 1940 Act.
(17) |
United States Government Obligations |
Each Fund may invest in direct obligations of the U.S. Treasury. These obligations include Treasury bills, notes and bonds, all of which have their principal and interest payments backed by the full faith and credit of the U.S. Government.
Each Fund may invest in obligations issued by the agencies or instrumentalities of the U.S. Government. These obligations may or may not be backed by the full faith and credit of the United States.
30
Securities which are backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include obligations of the GNMA, the Farmers Home Administration and the Export-Import Bank. For those securities which are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States, a Fund must principally look to the federal agency guaranteeing or issuing the obligation for ultimate repayment and therefore may not be able to assert a claim against the United States itself for repayment in the event that the issuer does not meet its commitments. The securities in which a Fund may invest that are not backed by the full faith and credit of the United States include, but are not limited to: (a) obligations of the Tennessee Valley Authority, the Federal Home Loan Mortgage Corporation, the Federal Home Loan Banks and the U.S. Postal Service, each of which has the right to borrow from the U.S. Treasury to meet its obligations; (b) securities issued by the Federal National Mortgage Association, which are supported by the discretionary authority of the U.S. Government to purchase the agencys obligations; and (c) obligations of the Federal Farm Credit System and the Student Loan Marketing Association, each of whose obligations may be satisfied only by the individual credits of the issuing agency.
(18) |
Warrants and Rights |
Rights are short-term obligations issued in conjunction with new stock issues. Warrants give the holder the right to buy an issuers securities at a stated price for a stated time. The holder of a right or warrant has the right to purchase a given number of shares of a security of a particular issuer at a specified price until expiration of the right or warrant. Such investments provide greater potential for profit than a direct purchase of the same amount of the securities. Prices of warrants do not necessarily move in tandem with the prices of the underlying securities, and warrants are considered speculative investments. They pay no dividends and confer no rights other than a purchase option. If a warrant or right is not exercised by the date of its expiration, a Fund would lose its entire investment in such warrant or right.
(19) |
When-Issued Securities |
Each Fund may purchase securities on a when-issued basis. The purchase price and the interest rate payable, if any, on the securities are fixed on the purchase commitment date or at the time the settlement date is fixed. The value of these securities is subject to market fluctuation. For fixed-income securities, no interest accrues to a Fund until a settlement takes place. At the time a Fund makes a commitment to purchase securities on a when-issued basis, it will record the transaction, reflect the daily value of the securities when determining its NAV, and if applicable, calculate the maturity for the purposes of determining the average maturity from the date of the transaction. At the time of settlement, a when-issued security may be valued below the amount of its purchase price.
To facilitate these transactions, a Fund will earmark or maintain a segregated account with the custodian containing liquid assets in an amount which is at least equal to the commitments. On the delivery dates of the transactions, a Fund will meet its obligations from assets in the segregated account and/or from cash flow. If a Fund chooses to dispose of the right to acquire a when-issued security prior to its acquisition, it could incur a loss or a gain due to market fluctuation. Furthermore, a Fund may be at a disadvantage if the other party to the transaction defaults. When-issued transactions may allow a Fund to hedge against unanticipated changes in interest rates.
(20) |
Zero Coupon Securities |
Each Fund may invest in zero coupon securities. Zero coupon securities are issued at a significant discount from face value and pay interest only at maturity rather than at intervals during the life of the security. Zero coupon securities tend to be more volatile than other securities with similar stated maturities, but which make regular payments of either principal or interest.
31
A Fund is required to accrue and distribute imputed income from zero coupon securities on a current basis, even though it does not receive the income currently. A Fund may have to sell other investments to obtain cash needed to make income distributions, which may reduce a Funds assets, increase its expense ratio and decrease its rate of return.
Diversification Requirements for the Funds
The Funds intend to meet the diversification requirements of the 1940 Act as in effect from time to time. Currently under the 1940 Act, a diversified fund generally may not, with respect to 75% of its total assets, invest more than 5% of its total assets in the securities of any one issuer or own more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer (except, in each case, U.S. Government securities, cash, cash items and the securities of other investment companies). The remaining 25% of a funds total assets is not subject to this limitation. A fund that is non-diversified can invest a greater percentage of its assets in a single issuer or a group of issuers, and, as a result, may be subject to greater credit, market, and other risks than a diversified fund. The poor performance by a single issuer may have a greater impact on the performance of a non-diversified fund. A non-diversified funds shares tend to be more volatile than shares of a diversified fund and are more susceptible to the risks of focusing investments in a small number of issuers or industries, and the risks of a single economic, political or regulatory occurrence.
Industry Concentration
The 1940 Act requires the Funds to state the extent, if any, to which they intend to concentrate investments in a particular industry. While the 1940 Act does not define what constitutes concentration in an industry, the staff of the SEC takes the position that, in general, investments of more than 25% of a funds assets in an industry constitutes concentration. The SEC staff has also taken the position that a policy relating to industry concentration does not apply to investments in government securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) or in tax-exempt securities issued by U.S. federal, state and municipal governments or political subdivisions of U.S. federal, state and municipal governments.
Fundamental Investment Restrictions
The following investment restrictions have been adopted by the Trust with respect to the Funds. Except as otherwise stated, these investment restrictions are fundamental policies. A fundamental policy is defined in the 1940 Act to mean that the restriction cannot be changed without the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Funds. A majority of the outstanding voting securities is defined in the 1940 Act as the lesser of (a) 67% or more of the voting securities present at a meeting if the holders of more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities are present or represented by proxy, or (b) more than 50% of the outstanding voting securities.
Each Fund:
(1) May issue senior securities to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.
(2) May borrow money to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.
32
(3) May lend money to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.
(4) May underwrite securities to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.
(5) May purchase and sell commodities to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.
(6) May purchase and sell real estate to the extent permitted by the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or by regulatory guidance or interpretations of, or any exemptive order or other relief issued by the SEC or any successor organization or their staff under, such Act, rules or regulations.
(7) May purchase securities of any issuer only when consistent with the maintenance of its status as a diversified company under the Investment Company Act of 1940, or the rules or regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, or under regulatory guidance or interpretations of such Act, rules or regulations.
(8) May not concentrate investments in a particular industry or group of industries, as concentration is defined or interpreted under the Investment Company Act of 1940, and the rules and regulations thereunder, as such statute, rules or regulations may be amended from time to time, and under regulatory guidance or interpretations of such Act, rules or regulations.
Any restriction on investments or use of assets, including, but not limited to, market capitalization, geographic, rating and/or any other percentage restrictions, set forth in this SAI or the Funds Prospectus shall be measured only at the time of investment, and any subsequent change, whether in the value, market capitalization, rating, percentage held or otherwise, will not constitute a violation of the restriction, other than with respect to investment restriction (2) above related to borrowings by the Funds.
Cyber Security Risk
With the increased use of technologies such as the Internet and the dependence on computer systems to perform business and operational functions, investment companies (such as the Funds) and their service providers (including the Investment Manager) may be prone to operational and information security risks resulting from cyber-attacks and/or technological malfunctions. In general, cyber-attacks are deliberate, but unintentional events may have similar effects. Cyber-attacks include, among others, stealing or corrupting data maintained online or digitally, preventing legitimate users from accessing information or services on a website, releasing confidential information without authorization, and causing operational disruption. Successful cyber-attacks against, or security breakdowns of, a Fund, the Investment Manager, the Subadviser, or a custodian, transfer agent, or other affiliated or third-party service provider may adversely affect the Fund or its shareholders. For instance, cyber-attacks may interfere with the processing of shareholder transactions, affect a Funds ability to calculate its NAV, cause the release of private shareholder information or confidential Fund information, impede trading, cause reputational damage, and subject the Fund to regulatory fines, penalties or financial losses,
33
reimbursement or other compensation costs, and additional compliance costs. Cyber-attacks may render records of Fund assets and transactions, shareholder ownership of Fund shares, and other data integral to the functioning of the Fund inaccessible or inaccurate or incomplete. The Funds may also incur substantial costs for cyber security risk management in order to prevent cyber incidents in the future. The Funds and their shareholders could be negatively impacted as a result. While the Investment Manager has established business continuity plans and systems designed to prevent cyber-attacks, there are inherent limitations in such plans and systems including the possibility that certain risks have not been identified. The Funds rely on third-party service providers for many of their day-to-day operations, and are subject to the risk that the protections and protocols implemented by those service providers will be ineffective to protect the Funds from cyber-attack. The Investment Manager does not control the cyber security plans and systems put in place by third-party service providers and such third-party service providers may have limited indemnification obligations to the Investment Manager or the Funds. Similar types of cyber security risks also are present for issuers of securities in which the Funds invest, which could result in material adverse consequences for such issuers, and may cause a Funds investment in such securities to lose value.
Portfolio Turnover
Generally, the Funds purchase securities for investment purposes and not for short-term trading profits. However, each Fund may sell securities without regard to the length of time that the security is held in the portfolio when the Fund believes the sale is consistent with the Funds investment strategies and in the Funds best interest to do so. A higher degree of portfolio activity may increase brokerage costs to a Fund and may increase shareholders tax liability.
The portfolio turnover rates for the Funds for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2019 are as follows:
* |
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Funds higher portfolio turnover rate for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 compared to that for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2018 was the result of changes in assets. |
Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings
The Trust has adopted policies and procedures reasonably designed to prevent selective disclosure of the Funds portfolio holdings to third parties, other than disclosures that are consistent with the best interests of shareholders of the Funds. Each Fund will disclose its portfolio holdings on a monthly basis on or about the 10th business day of the following month by posting this information on the Funds website. The Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust may designate an earlier or later date for public disclosure of a Funds portfolio holdings. In addition, each Fund (i) may disclose the top 10 portfolio holdings at any time following the disclosure of portfolio holdings, and (ii) may disclose
34
statistical information regarding such Funds portfolio allocation characteristics on or about 10 business days after each month-end, or may disclose such information if it is derived from publicly available portfolio holdings, in each case by posting the information on the Funds website. Non-public portfolio holdings may also be disclosed by a Fund or its duly authorized service providers to certain third parties, including mutual fund evaluation services, rating agencies, lenders or providers of borrowing facilities, if (i) the Chief Compliance Officer of the Trust has made a determination that the disclosure of portfolio holdings information in the manner and at the time proposed is consistent with a legitimate business purpose of the Fund; and (ii) the recipient has been informed in writing that it is subject to a duty of confidentiality with respect to that information and undertakes not to trade in securities or other property on the basis of that information unless and until that information is made publicly available. The Board of Trustees receives reports of any potential exceptions to, or violations of, the Trusts policies and procedures governing disclosure of portfolio holdings that are deemed to constitute a material compliance matter. The Chief Compliance Officer or his designee is responsible for monitoring compliance with these procedures, including requesting information from service providers.
The Trust has arrangements with the persons indicated below to make available information about a Funds portfolio securities. The Trusts policies and procedures prohibit any person or entity from receiving compensation or consideration of any kind in connection with the release of information relating to a Funds portfolio holdings.
The Funds may regularly provide non-public portfolio holdings information, including current portfolio holdings information, to the following third parties in the normal course of their performance of services to the Funds: the Subadviser (GW&K); the independent registered public accounting firm (PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP); the custodian and securities lending agent (The Bank of New York Mellon); financial printer (Donnelley Financial Solutions); counsel to the Funds (Ropes & Gray LLP) or counsel to the independent trustees of the Funds (Sullivan & Worcester LLP); regulatory authorities; and securities exchanges and other listing organizations. Disclosures of current portfolio holdings information will be made on a daily basis with respect to the Subadviser and the custodian. Disclosures of portfolio holdings information will be made to the Funds independent registered public accounting firm and financial printer on a semi-annual basis in connection with the preparation of public filings, and from time to time in the course of Fund operations. Disclosures of portfolio holdings information, including current portfolio holdings information, may be made to counsel to the Funds or counsel to the Funds independent trustees in connection with periodic meetings of the Board of Trustees and otherwise from time to time in connection with Fund operations. In addition, the Funds provide portfolio holdings information to the following data providers, fund ranking/rating services, independent consultants, fair valuation services and other service providers: Lipper, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., ICE Data Services, FactSet Research Systems Inc., Bloomberg L.P., Institutional Shareholder Services Inc., Davison, Dietsch & McCarthy, Inc., Seismic Professional Services, eVestment Alliance, LLC and HedgeMark Risk Analytics, LLC. The Funds may disclose non-public current portfolio holdings information to ICE Data Services on a monthly basis for valuation purposes, to FactSet Research Systems Inc. on a daily basis for portfolio holdings analysis, to Institutional Shareholder Services Inc. on a daily basis for proxy voting and class action processing purposes, to Davison, Dietsch, & McCarthy, Inc. and Seismic Professional Services on a quarterly basis for services related to Fund marketing materials, to eVestment Alliance, LLC on a quarterly basis for services related to Fund marketing, and to HedgeMark Risk Analytics, LLC on a daily basis for liquidity classification services. The Funds also provide current portfolio holdings information to Lipper, Inc., Morningstar, Inc., Bloomberg L.P. and various institutional investment consultants and other related firms, but only after such information has already been disclosed to the general public.
The entities to which the Funds voluntarily disclose portfolio holdings information are required, either by explicit agreement or by virtue of their respective duties to the Funds, to maintain the
35
confidentiality of the information disclosed. There can be no assurance that the Trusts policies and procedures regarding selective disclosure of the Funds portfolio holdings will protect the Funds from potential misuse of that information by individuals or entities to which it is disclosed.
The Trustees and Officers of the Trust, their business addresses, principal occupations for the past five years and ages are listed below. The Trustees provide broad supervision over the affairs of the Trust and the Funds. The Trustees are experienced executives who meet periodically throughout the year to oversee the Funds activities, review contractual arrangements with companies that provide services to the Funds, and review the Funds performance. Unless otherwise noted, the address of each Trustee or Officer is the address of the Trust: 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
There is no stated term of office for Trustees. Each Trustee serves during the continued lifetime of the Trust until he or she dies, resigns or is removed, or, if sooner, until the next meeting of shareholders called for the purpose of electing Trustees and until the election and qualification of his or her successor in accordance with the Trusts organizational documents and the Boards policy that a Trustee retire at the end of the calendar year in which the Trustee reaches the age of 75. The Chairman of the Board, the President, the Treasurer and the Secretary and such other Officers as the Trustees may in their discretion from time to time elect each hold office until his or her successor is elected and qualified, or until he or she sooner dies, resigns, is removed or becomes disqualified. Each Officer holds office at the pleasure of the Trustees.
Independent Trustees
The Trustees in the following table are not interested persons of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act (Independent Trustees). Eric Rakowski serves as the Independent Chairman of the Board of Trustees.
NAME AND AGE |
POSITION(S)
|
PRINCIPAL
YEARS |
NUMBER
|
OTHER
HELD BY
|
EXPERIENCE,
SKILLS FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP |
|||||
Bruce B. Bingham
Age: 71 |
Trustee since 2012 | Partner, Hamilton Partners (real estate development firm) (1987-2020) | 49 | Director of The Yacktman Funds, Inc. (2 portfolios) (2000-2012) | Significant experience as a board member of mutual funds; business experience as a partner of a real estate development and investment firm; familiar with financial statements. | |||||
Edward J. Kaier
Age: 74 |
Trustee since 1999; Chairman of the Audit Committee | Attorney at Law and Partner, Teeters Harvey Marrone & Kaier LLP (2007-Present); Attorney at Law and Partner, Hepburn Willcox Hamilton & Putnam, LLP (1977-2007) | 49 | Trustee of Third Avenue Trust (3 portfolios) (2002-2019); Trustee of Third Avenue Variable Trust (1 portfolio) (2002-2019) | Significant experience as a board member of mutual funds; practicing attorney; continuing service as Chairman of the Trusts Audit Committee. |
36
NAME AND AGE |
POSITION(S)
THE TRUST AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL
|
NUMBER OF FUNDS
IN
FUND
BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER
TRUSTEE
DURING PAST
5
|
EXPERIENCE,
SKILLS FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP |
|||||
Kurt A. Keilhacker
Age: 56 |
Trustee since 2013 | Managing Partner, TechFund Europe (2000-Present); Managing Partner, TechFund Capital (1997-Present); Managing Partner, Elementum Ventures (2013-Present); Director, MetricStory, Inc. (2017-Present); Trustee, Wheaton College (2018-Present); Trustee, Gordon College (2001-2016); Board Member, 6wind SA (2002-2019) | 52 | None | Significant board experience, including as a board member of private companies; significant experience as a managing member of private companies; significant experience in the venture capital industry; significant experience as co-founder of a number of technology companies. | |||||
Steven J. Paggioli
Age: 69 |
Trustee since 2004 | Independent Consultant (2002-Present); Executive Vice President, Secretary and Director, Investment Company Administration, LLC (1990-2001) | 49 | Trustee, Professionally Managed Portfolios (28 portfolios); Advisory Board Member, Sustainable Growth Advisors, LP; Independent Director, Muzinich BDC, Inc.(business development company) (2019-Present); Independent Director, Chase Investment Counsel (2008-2019) | Significant board experience, including as a board member of mutual funds; significant executive experience with several financial services firms; former service with financial service regulator; Audit Committee financial expert. | |||||
Richard F. Powers III
Age: 74 |
Trustee since 2013 | Adjunct Professor, U.S. Naval War College (2016-Present); Adjunct Professor, Boston College (2011-2015); President and CEO of Van Kampen Investments Inc. (1998-2003) | 49 | None | Significant experience as a director of a public company; significant executive experience with several financial services firms; significant experience as President and Chief Executive Officer of a mutual fund complex. |
37
NAME AND AGE |
POSITION(S)
THE TRUST AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL
|
NUMBER OF FUNDS
IN
FUND
BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER
TRUSTEE
DURING PAST
5
|
EXPERIENCE,
SKILLS FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP |
|||||
Eric Rakowski
Age: 61 |
Trustee since 1999; Independent Chairman of the Board of Trustees; Chairman of the Governance Committee | Professor of Law, University of California at Berkeley School of Law Boalt Hall (1990-Present) | 52 | Director of Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc. (9 portfolios); Trustee of Third Avenue Trust (3 portfolios) (2002-2019); Trustee of Third Avenue Variable Trust (1 portfolio) (2002-2019) | Significant experience as a board member of mutual funds; former practicing attorney; currently professor of law. | |||||
Victoria L. Sassine
Age: 54 |
Trustee since 2013 | Adjunct Professor, Babson College (2007-Present); Director, Board of Directors, PRG Group (2017-Present); CEO, Founder, Scale Smarter Partners, LLC (2018-Present); Adviser, EVOFEM Biosciences (2019-Present); Chairperson, Board of Directors, Business Management Associates (2018-2019) | 52 | None | Currently professor of finance; significant business and finance experience in strategic financial and operation management positions in a variety of industries; accounting experience in a global accounting firm; experience as a board member of various organizations; Certified Public Accountant (inactive). | |||||
Thomas R. Schneeweis
Age: 72 |
Trustee since 2004 | Professor Emeritus, University of Massachusetts (2013-Present); President, TRS Associates (1982-Present); Board Member, Chartered Alternative Investment Association (CAIA) (2002-Present); Director, Institute for Global Asset and Risk Management (Education) (2010-Present); Co-Owner, Quantitative Investment Technologies (2014-Present); Co-Owner, Yes Wealth | 49 | None | Significant experience as a board member of mutual funds; formerly professor of finance; significant executive experience with several investment partnerships. |
38
NAME AND AGE |
POSITION(S)
THE TRUST AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL
|
NUMBER OF FUNDS
IN
FUND
BY TRUSTEE |
OTHER
TRUSTEE
DURING PAST
5
|
EXPERIENCE,
BOARD MEMBERSHIP |
|||||
Management (2018-Present); Director, CAIA Foundation (2010-2019); Partner, S Capital Wealth Advisors (2015-2018); Partner, S Capital Management, LLC (2007-2015); President, Alternative Investment Analytics, LLC, (formerly Schneeweis Partners, LLC) (2001-2013) |
Interested Trustee
Ms. Carsman is an interested person of the Trust within the meaning of the 1940 Act by virtue of her position with, and interest in securities of, AMG.
NAME AND AGE |
POSITION(S)
THE TRUST AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL
|
NUMBER OF
FUND
COMPLEX
BY
TRUSTEE/
|
OTHER
TRUSTEE/
DURING
PAST 5
|
EXPERIENCE,
BOARD MEMBERSHIP |
|||||
Christine C. Carsman
Age: 67 |
Trustee since 2011 | Senior Policy Advisor, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (2019-Present); Chair of the Board of Directors, AMG Funds plc (2015-2018); Director, AMG Funds plc (2010-2018); Executive Vice President, Deputy General Counsel and Chief Regulatory Counsel, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (2017-2018); Senior Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, Affiliated | 52 | Director of Harding, Loevner Funds, Inc. (9 portfolios) | Significant business, legal and risk management experience with several financial services firms; former practicing attorney at private law firm; significant experience as an officer of the Trust, including as Chief Legal Officer. |
39
NAME AND AGE |
POSITION(S)
THE TRUST AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL
|
NUMBER OF
FUND
COMPLEX
BY
TRUSTEE/
|
OTHER
TRUSTEE/
DURING
PAST 5
|
EXPERIENCE,
SKILLS FOR BOARD MEMBERSHIP |
|||||
Managers Group, Inc. (2011-2016); Senior Vice President and Chief Regulatory Counsel, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (2007-2011); Vice President and Chief Regulatory Counsel, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (2004-2007); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II and AMG Funds III (2004-2011); Senior Counsel, Vice President and Director of Operational Risk Management and Compliance, Wellington Management Company, LLP (1995-2004) |
Information About Each Trustees Experience, Qualifications, Attributes or Skills
Trustees of the Trust, together with information as to their positions with the Trust, principal occupations and other board memberships for the past five years, and experience, qualifications, attributes or skills for serving as Trustees are shown in the tables above. The summaries relating to the experience, qualifications, attributes and skills of the Trustees are required by the registration form adopted by the SEC, do not constitute holding out the Board or any Trustee as having any special expertise or experience, and do not impose any greater responsibility or liability on any such person or on the Board as a whole than would otherwise be the case. The Board believes that the significance of each Trustees experience, qualifications, attributes or skills is an individual matter (meaning that experience that is important for one Trustee may not have the same value for another) and that these factors are best evaluated at the Board level, with no single Trustee, or particular factor, being indicative of Board effectiveness. However, the Board believes that Trustees need to be able to critically review, evaluate, question and discuss information provided to them, and to interact effectively with Trust management, service providers and counsel, in order to exercise effective business judgment in the performance of their duties. The Board believes that each of its members has these abilities. Experience relevant to having these abilities may be achieved through a Trustees educational background; business, professional training or practice (e.g., finance or law), or academic positions; experience from service as a board
40
member (including the Board) or as an executive of investment funds, significant private or not-for-profit entities or other organizations; and/or other life experiences. To assist them in evaluating matters under federal and state law, the Independent Trustees are counseled by their own separate, independent legal counsel, who participates in Board meetings and interacts with the Investment Manager, and also may benefit from information provided by the Trusts and the Investment Managers legal counsel. Both Independent Trustee and Trust counsel have significant experience advising funds and fund board members. The Board and its committees have the ability to engage other experts, including the Funds independent public accounting firm, as appropriate. The Board evaluates its performance on an annual basis.
Officers
NAME AND AGE |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH THE TRUST AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS |
||
Keitha L. Kinne
Age: 61 |
Chief Operating Officer since 2007; President, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer since 2018 | Chief Operating Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2007-Present); Chief Investment Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2008-Present); President and Principal, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2018-Present); Chief Operating Officer, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2007-Present); President, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2018-Present); Chief Operating Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II and AMG Funds III (2007-Present); Chief Operating Officer, AMG Funds IV (2016-Present); Chief Operating Officer and Chief Investment Officer, Aston Asset Management, LLC (2016); President and Principal Executive Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II and AMG Funds III (2012-2014); Managing Partner, AMG Funds LLC (2007-2014); President and Principal, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2012-2014); Managing Director, Legg Mason & Co., LLC (2006-2007); Managing Director, Citigroup Asset Management (2004-2006) | ||
Thomas G. Disbrow Age: 54 |
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer and Principal Accounting Officer since 2017 | Vice President, Mutual Fund Treasurer & CFO, AMG Funds, AMG Funds LLC (2017-Present); Chief Financial Officer, Principal Financial Officer, Treasurer and Principal Accounting Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2017-Present); Managing DirectorGlobal Head of Traditional Funds Product Control, UBS Asset Management (Americas), Inc. (2015-2017); Managing DirectorHead of North American Funds Treasury, UBS Asset Management (Americas), Inc. (2011-2015) | ||
Mark J. Duggan
Age: 55 |
Secretary and Chief Legal Officer since 2015 |
Senior Vice President and Senior Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2015-Present); Secretary and Chief Legal Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2015-Present); Attorney, K&L Gates, LLP (2009-2015) |
41
NAME AND AGE |
POSITION(S) HELD WITH THE TRUST AND LENGTH OF TIME SERVED |
PRINCIPAL OCCUPATION(S) DURING PAST 5 YEARS |
||
Patrick J. Spellman
Age: 45 |
Chief Compliance Officer and Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics Compliance Officer since 2019 | Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2017-Present); Chief Compliance Officer, AMG Distributors, Inc. (2010-Present); Chief Compliance Officer and Sarbanes-Oxley Code of Ethics Compliance Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2019-Present); Senior Vice President, Chief Compliance Officer, AMG Funds LLC (2011-2017); Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, and AMG Funds III (2014-2019); Anti-Money Laundering Officer, AMG Funds IV (2016-2019); Compliance Manager, Legal and Compliance, Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (2005-2011) | ||
John A. Starace
Age: 49 |
Deputy Treasurer since 2017 | Director, Mutual Fund Accounting, AMG Funds LLC (2017-Present); Vice President, Deputy Treasurer of Mutual Funds Services, AMG Funds LLC (2014-2017); Deputy Treasurer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2017-Present); Vice President, Citi Hedge Fund Services (2010-2014); Audit Senior Manager (2005-2010) and Audit Manager (2001-2005), Deloitte & Touche LLP | ||
Maureen A. Meredith
Age: 34 |
Assistant Secretary since 2016 | Vice President, Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2019-Present); Director, Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2017-2018); Vice President, Counsel, AMG Funds LLC (2015-2017); Assistant Secretary, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2016-Present); Associate, Ropes & Gray LLP (2011-2015); Law Fellow, Massachusetts Appleseed Center for Law and Justice (2010-2011) | ||
Hector D. Roman
Age: 42 |
Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer since 2019 | Director, Legal and Compliance, AMG Funds LLC (2020-Present); Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer, AMG Funds, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III and AMG Funds IV (2019-Present); Manager, Legal and Compliance, AMG Funds LLC (2017-2019); Director of Compliance, Morgan Stanley Investment Management (2015-2017); Senior Advisory, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (2014-2015); Risk Manager, Barclays Investment Bank (2008-2014) |
42
Trustee Share Ownership
Name of Trustee |
Dollar Range of Equity Securities
in the Funds Beneficially Owned as of December 31, 2019 |
Aggregate Dollar Range of
Equity Securities in All Registered Investment Companies Overseen by Trustee in the Family of Investment Companies Beneficially Owned as of December 31, 2019 |
||||||
Independent Trustees: |
||||||||
Bruce B. Bingham |
None |
Over $100,000
|
||||||
Edward J. Kaier |
$50,001 to $100,000 |
Over $100,000
|
||||||
Kurt A. Keilhacker |
None |
Over $100,000
|
||||||
Steven J. Paggioli |
None |
Over $100,000
|
||||||
Richard F. Powers III |
None | None | ||||||
Eric Rakowski |
None |
Over $100,000
|
||||||
Victoria L. Sassine |
None |
Over $100,000
|
||||||
Thomas R. Schneeweis |
None | $10,001$50,000 | ||||||
Interested Trustee: |
||||||||
Christine C. Carsman |
Over $100,000 | Over $100,000 |
Board Leadership Structure and Risk Oversight
The following provides an overview of the leadership structure of the Board of Trustees of AMG Funds (the Board) and the Boards oversight of the Funds risk management process. The Board consists of nine Trustees, eight of whom are Independent Trustees. An Independent Trustee serves as Chairman of the Board. In addition, the Board also has two standing committees, the Audit Committee and Governance Committee (the Committees) (discussed below), each comprised of all of the Independent Trustees, to which the Board has delegated certain authority and oversight responsibilities.
The Boards role in management of the Trust is oversight, including oversight of the Funds risk management process. The Board meets regularly on at least a quarterly basis and at these meetings the officers of the Funds and the Funds Chief Compliance Officer report to the Board on a variety of matters. A portion of each regular meeting is devoted to an executive session of the Independent Trustees, the Independent Trustees separate, independent legal counsel, and the Funds Chief Compliance Officer, at which no members of management are present. In a separate executive session of the Independent Trustees and the Independent Trustees independent legal counsel, the Independent Trustees consider a variety of matters that are required by law to be considered by the Independent Trustees, as well as matters that are scheduled to come before the full Board, including fund governance, compliance, and leadership issues. When considering these matters, the Independent Trustees are advised by their independent legal counsel. The Board reviews its leadership structure periodically and believes that its structure is appropriate to enable the Board to exercise its oversight of the Funds.
AMG Funds has retained AMG Funds LLC as the Funds investment adviser and administrator. The Investment Manager is responsible for the Funds overall administration and operations, including management of the risks that arise from the Funds investments and operations. Employees of the Investment Manager serve as several of the Funds officers, including the Funds President. The Board provides oversight of the services provided by the Investment Manager and the Funds officers, including their risk management activities. On an annual basis, the Funds Chief Compliance Officer conducts a
43
compliance review and risk assessment and prepares a written report relating to the review that is provided to the Board for review and discussion. The assessment includes a broad-based review of the risks inherent to the Funds, the controls designed to address those risks, and selective testing of those controls to determine whether they are operating effectively and are reasonably designed. In the course of providing oversight, the Board and the Committees receive a wide range of reports on the Funds activities, including regarding each Funds investment portfolio, the compliance of the Funds with applicable laws, and the Funds financial accounting and reporting. The Board receives periodic reports from the Funds Chief Legal Officer on the Investment Managers risk management activities. The Board also receives periodic reports from the Funds Chief Compliance Officer regarding the compliance of the Funds with federal and state securities laws and the Funds internal compliance policies and procedures. In addition, the Board receives periodic reports from the portfolio managers of the Funds Subadviser and the Investment Managers investment research team regarding the management of the Funds, including their investment risks. The Board also receives periodic reports from the Funds Chief Financial Officer, Chief Operating Officer, and other senior personnel of the Investment Manager regarding the Investment Managers general business operations.
Board Committees
As described below, the Board of Trustees has two standing Committees, each of which is chaired by an Independent Trustee. The Board has not established a formal risk oversight committee. However, much of the regular work of the Board and its standing Committees addresses aspects of risk oversight.
Audit Committee
The Board of Trustees has an Audit Committee consisting of all of the Independent Trustees. Edward J. Kaier serves as the chairman of the Audit Committee. Under the terms of its charter, the Audit Committee: (a) acts for the Trustees in overseeing the Trusts financial reporting and auditing processes; (b) receives and reviews communications from the independent registered public accounting firm relating to its review of the Funds financial statements; (c) reviews and assesses the performance, approves the compensation, and approves or ratifies the appointment, retention or termination of the Trusts independent registered public accounting firm; (d) meets periodically with the independent registered public accounting firm to review the annual audits of the series of the Trust, including the audits of the Funds, and pre-approves the audit services provided by the independent registered public accounting firm; (e) considers and acts upon proposals for the independent registered public accounting firm to provide non-audit services to the Trust or the Investment Manager or its affiliates to the extent that such approval is required by applicable laws or regulations; (f) considers and reviews with the independent registered public accounting firm, periodically as the need arises, but not less frequently than annually, matters bearing upon the registered public accounting firms status as independent under applicable standards of independence established from time to time by the SEC and other regulatory authorities; and (g) reviews and reports to the full Board with respect to any material accounting, tax, valuation or recordkeeping issues of which the Audit Committee is aware that may affect the Trust, the Trusts financial statements or the amount of any dividend or distribution right, among other matters. The chairman of the Audit Committee or his designee also may carry out the duties of the Boards pricing oversight committee from time to time. The Audit Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.
Governance Committee
The Board of Trustees has a Governance Committee consisting of all of the Independent Trustees. Eric Rakowski serves as the chairman of the Governance Committee. Under the terms of its charter, the Governance Committee is empowered to perform a variety of functions on behalf of the
44
Board, including responsibility to make recommendations with respect to the following matters: (i) individuals to be appointed or nominated for election as Independent Trustees; (ii) the designation and responsibilities of the chairperson of the Board (who shall be an Independent Trustee) and Board committees, such other officers of the Board, if any, as the Governance Committee deems appropriate, and officers of the Funds; (iii) the compensation to be paid to Independent Trustees; and (iv) other matters the Governance Committee deems necessary or appropriate. The Governance Committee is also empowered to: (i) set any desired standards or qualifications for service as a Trustee; (ii) conduct self-evaluations of the performance of the Trustees and help facilitate the Boards evaluation of the performance of the Board at least annually; (iii) oversee the selection of independent legal counsel to the Independent Trustees and review reports from independent legal counsel regarding potential conflicts of interest; and (iv) consider and evaluate any other matter the Governance Committee deems necessary or appropriate. It is the policy of the Governance Committee to consider nominees recommended by shareholders. Shareholders who would like to recommend nominees to the Governance Committee should submit the candidates name and background information in a sufficiently timely manner (and in any event, no later than the date specified for receipt of shareholder proposals in any applicable proxy statement of the Funds) and should address their recommendations to the attention of the Governance Committee, c/o the Secretary of the Funds, 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830. The Governance Committee met two times during the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019.
Trustees Compensation
For their services as Trustees of the Trust and other funds within the AMG Fund Complex for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, the Trustees were compensated as follows:
Compensation Table:
Name of Trustee |
Aggregate
Compensation from the Funds (a) |
Total
Compensation from the Fund Complex Paid to Trustees (b) |
||||||
Independent Trustees: |
||||||||
Bruce B. Bingham |
$ | 2,776 | $ | 279,500 | ||||
Edward J. Kaier (c) |
$ | 3,023 | $ | 304,500 | ||||
Kurt A. Keilhacker |
$ | 2,776 | $ | 299,505 | ||||
Steven J. Paggioli |
$ | 2,776 | $ | 279,500 | ||||
Richard F. Powers III |
$ | 2,776 | $ | 279,500 | ||||
Eric Rakowski(d) |
$ | 3,321 | $ | 358,340 | ||||
Victoria L. Sassine |
$ | 2,512 | $ | 271,923 | ||||
Thomas R. Schneeweis |
$ | 2,776 | $ | 279,500 | ||||
Interested Trustee: |
||||||||
Christine C. Carsman |
None | None |
(a) |
Compensation is calculated for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019. The Trust does not provide any pension or retirement benefits for the Trustees. |
(b) |
Total compensation includes compensation paid during the 12-month period ended October 31, 2019 for services as a Trustee to any fund currently in the AMG Fund Complex. As of October 31, 2019, each of Messrs. Bingham, Kaier, Paggioli, Powers and Schneeweis served as a trustee to 52 funds in the AMG Fund Complex; each of Messrs. Keilhacker and Rakowski and Mses. Sassine and Carsman served as a trustee or director to 55 funds in the AMG Fund Complex. |
(c) |
Mr. Kaier receives an additional $25,000 annually for serving as the Audit Committee Chairman, which is reflected in the chart above. |
(d) |
Mr. Rakowski receives an additional $55,000 annually for serving as the Independent Chairman, which is reflected in the chart above. |
45
CONTROL PERSONS AND PRINCIPAL HOLDERS OF SECURITIES
As of January 31, 2020, the following persons and/or entities owned beneficially or of record 5% or more of the outstanding shares of each class of each Fund.
Name and Address |
Percent Owned |
|
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity FundClass N |
||
LPL Financial Omnibus Customer Account Attn: Lindsay OToole 4707 Executive Drive San Diego, California 92121 |
75.30% | |
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account for the Exclusive Benefit of Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, California 94104-4122 |
9.79% | |
National Financial Services LLC for the Exclusive Benefit of Our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds Department 4th Floor 499 Washington Boulevard Jersey City, New Jersey 07310-2010 |
5.06% | |
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity FundClass I |
||
SEI Private Trust Company c/o Legacy SWP 1 Freedom Valley Drive Oaks, Pennsylvania 19456 |
53.39% | |
National Financial Services LLC For the Exclusive Benefit of Our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds Department 4th Floor 499 Washington Boulevard Jersey City, New Jersey 07310-2010 |
21.81% | |
Wells Fargo Clearing Services LLC 2801 Market Street Saint Louis, Missouri 63103 |
5.91% | |
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account for the Exclusive Benefit of Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, California 94104-4122 |
5.91% |
46
Name and Address |
Percent Owned |
|
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity FundClass Z |
||
Mac & Co.* Attn: Mutual Fund Operations 500 Grant Street Room 151-1010 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania 15258 |
47.39% | |
Sentinel Trust Company, L.B.A. 2001 Kirby Drive, Suite 1200 Houston, Texas 77019-6095 |
21.81% | |
Ascensus Trust Company FBO Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. 401(K) P.O. Box 10758 Fargo, North Dakota 58106 |
10.48% | |
Cora L. Sterling c/o GW&K Investment Management, LLC 222 Berkeley Street, 15th Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02116 |
7.65% | |
William P. Sterling c/o GW&K Investment Management, LLC 222 Berkeley Street, 15th Floor Boston, Massachusetts 02116 |
6.17% | |
AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity FundClass N |
||
UBS WM USA Special Custody Account Exclusive Benefit of Customers of UBSFSI 1000 Harbor Boulevard Weehawken, New Jersey 07086 |
40.93% | |
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account for the Exclusive Benefit of Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, California 94104-4122 |
33.07% | |
TD Ameritrade Inc. for the Exclusive Benefit of Our Clients P.O. Box 2226 Omaha, Nebraska 68103-2226 |
15.81% |
47
Name and Address |
Percent Owned |
|
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account FBO Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 211 Main Street San Francisco, California 94105 |
5.95% | |
AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity FundClass I |
||
Charles Schwab & Co. Inc. Special Custody Account for the Exclusive Benefit of Customers Attn: Mutual Funds 101 Montgomery Street San Francisco, California 94104-4122 |
43.74% | |
UBS WM USA Special Custody Account Exclusive Benefit of Customers of UBSFSI 1000 Harbor Boulevard Weehawken, New Jersey 07086 |
24.94% | |
National Financial Services LLC For the Exclusive Benefit of Our Customers Attn: Mutual Funds Department 4th Floor 499 Washington Boulevard Jersey City, New Jersey 07310-2010 |
16.75% | |
AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity FundClass Z |
||
Band & Co. c/o U.S. Bank N.A.* 1555 North Rivercenter Drive, Suite 302 Milwaukee, Wisconsin 53212 |
91.67% |
* |
Denotes persons or entities that owned 25% or more of the outstanding shares of beneficial interest of the Fund as of January 31, 2020, and therefore may be presumed to control the Fund under the 1940 Act. Except for these persons or entities, the Trust did not know of any person or entity who, as of January 31, 2020, controlled (within the meaning of the 1940 Act) the Fund. A person or entity that controls the Fund could have effective voting control over the Fund. It may not be possible for matters subject to a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund to be approved without the affirmative vote of such controlling shareholders, and it may be possible for such matters to be approved by such shareholders without the affirmative vote of any other shareholders. |
Management Ownership
As of January 31, 2020, all management personnel (i.e., Trustees and Officers) as a group owned beneficially less than 1% of the outstanding shares of each class of each Fund, with the exception of AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund, where all management personnel as a group owned 4.929% of the outstanding shares of Class N.
48
Investment Manager and Subadviser
The Trustees provide broad supervision over the operations and affairs of the Trust and the Funds. The Investment Manager serves as investment manager to each Fund. The Investment Manager also serves as administrator of the Funds and carries out the daily administration of the Trust and the Funds. The Investment Managers principal address is 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830. The Investment Manager is a subsidiary of AMG, and a subsidiary of AMG serves as the Managing Member of the Investment Manager. AMG is located at 777 South Flagler Drive, West Palm Beach, Florida 33401. AMG (NYSE: AMG) is a global asset management company with equity investments in leading boutique investment management firms. AMG Distributors, Inc. (the Distributor), a wholly owned subsidiary of the Investment Manager, serves as the distributor to the Funds. The Distributors principal address is 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
The assets of each Fund are managed by a Subadviser selected by the Investment Manager, subject to the review and approval of the Trustees. GW&K was selected by the Investment Manager to serve as Subadviser of each Fund, subject to the review and approval of the Board of Trustees. The Investment Manager recommends Subadvisers for the Funds to the Trustees based upon continuing quantitative and qualitative evaluation of each Subadvisers skills in managing assets subject to specific investment styles and strategies. Short-term investment performance, by itself, is not a significant factor in hiring or terminating a Subadviser, and the Investment Manager does not expect to make frequent changes of Subadvisers. The Investment Manager and its corporate predecessors have over 20 years of experience in evaluating subadvisers for individuals and institutional investors.
For its investment management services, the Investment Manager receives an investment management fee from each Fund. The Investment Manager uses a portion of the investment management fees it receives from each Fund to pay the subadvisory fees of GW&K. Because GW&K is an affiliate of the Investment Manager, the Investment Manager indirectly benefits from the compensation received by GW&K.
The Subadviser has discretion, subject to oversight by the Trustees and the Investment Manager, to purchase and sell portfolio assets, consistent with each Funds investment objective, policies and restrictions. Generally, the services that the Subadviser provides to the Funds are limited to asset management and related recordkeeping services.
The Subadviser or an affiliated broker-dealer may execute portfolio transactions for the Funds and receive brokerage commissions, or markups/markdowns, in connection with the transaction as permitted by Sections 17(a) and 17(e) of the 1940 Act, and the rules thereunder, and the terms of any exemptive order issued by the SEC. The Board of Trustees has approved procedures in conformity with Rule 10f-3 under the 1940 Act whereby the Funds may purchase securities that are offered in underwritings in which an affiliate of the Funds Subadviser participates. For underwritings where a Subadviser affiliate participates as a principal underwriter, certain restrictions may apply that could, among other things, limit the amount of securities that a Fund could purchase in the underwritings.
The Subadviser may also serve as a discretionary or non-discretionary investment adviser to management or advisory or other accounts which are unrelated in any manner to the Funds or the Investment Manager and its affiliates.
49
Investment Management and Subadvisory Agreements
The Investment Manager serves as investment manager to the Funds pursuant to an investment management agreement with the Trust (the Investment Management Agreement). The Investment Management Agreement permits the Investment Manager to engage, from time to time, one or more Subadvisers to assist in the performance of its services. Pursuant to the Investment Management Agreement, the Investment Manager has entered into separate Subadvisory Agreements with GW&K with respect to the Funds (each, a Subadvisory Agreement and collectively, the Subadvisory Agreements).
The Investment Management Agreement and Subadvisory Agreements provide for an initial term of two years and thereafter shall continue in effect from year to year so long as such continuation is specifically approved at least annually (i) by either the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the applicable Fund, and (ii) in either event by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to the agreements or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such continuance. The Investment Management Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreements may be terminated, without penalty, by the Board of Trustees, by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act), by the Investment Manager or (in the case of each Subadvisory Agreement) by the Subadviser on 60 days written notice to the other party.
The Investment Management Agreement and the Subadvisory Agreements terminate automatically in the event of assignment, as defined in the 1940 Act and the regulations thereunder.
The Investment Management Agreement provides that the Investment Manager is specifically responsible for the following advisory services:
|
developing and furnishing continuously an investment program and strategy for each Fund in compliance with the Funds investment objective and policies as set forth in the Trusts current Registration Statement; |
|
providing research and analysis relative to the investment program and investments of each Fund; |
|
determining (subject to the overall supervision and review of the Board) what investments shall be purchased, held, sold or exchanged by each Fund and what portion, if any, of the assets of each Fund shall be held in cash or cash equivalents; and |
|
making changes on behalf of the Trust in the investments of the Funds. |
Under the Subadvisory Agreements, the Subadviser manages all of a Funds portfolio, including the determination of the purchase, retention, or sale of securities, cash, and other investments for the Fund in accordance with the Funds investment objective, policies, and investment restrictions. The Subadviser provides these services subject to the general supervision of the Investment Manager and the Trustees. The provision of investment advisory services by the Subadviser to a Fund will not be exclusive under the terms of the Subadvisory Agreements, and the Subadviser will be free to and expects to render investment advisory services to others.
50
In performing the functions set forth above and supervising the Subadviser, the Investment Manager:
|
performs periodic detailed analysis and reviews of the performance by the Subadviser of its obligations to each Fund, including without limitation analysis and review of portfolio and other compliance matters and a review of the Subadvisers investment performance in respect of each Fund; |
|
prepares and presents periodic reports to the Board regarding the investment performance of the Subadviser and other information regarding the Subadviser, at such times and in such forms as the Board may reasonably request; |
|
reviews and considers any changes in the personnel of the Subadviser responsible for performing the Subadvisers obligations and makes appropriate reports to the Board; |
|
reviews and considers any changes in the ownership or senior management of the Subadviser and makes appropriate reports to the Board; |
|
performs periodic in-person or telephonic diligence meetings, including with respect to compliance matters, with representatives of the Subadviser; |
|
assists the Board and management of the Trust in developing and reviewing information with respect to the initial approval of each Subadvisory Agreement with the Subadviser and annual consideration of the Subadvisory Agreements thereafter; |
|
prepares recommendations with respect to the continued retention of the Subadviser or the replacement of the Subadviser, including at the request of the Board; |
|
identifies potential successors to or replacements of the Subadviser or potential additional subadvisers, performs appropriate due diligence, and develops and presents to the Board a recommendation as to any such successor, replacement, or additional subadviser, including at the request of the Board; |
|
designates and compensates from its own resources such personnel as the Investment Manager may consider necessary or appropriate to the performance of its services; and |
|
performs such other review and reporting functions as the Board shall reasonably request consistent with the Investment Management Agreement and applicable law. |
Each Fund pays all expenses not borne by the Investment Manager or Subadviser including, but not limited to, the charges and expenses of the Funds custodian and transfer agent, independent auditors and legal counsel for the Fund and the Trusts Independent Trustees, 12b-1 fees, if any, all brokerage commissions, transfer taxes and transaction taxes in connection with portfolio transactions, all taxes and filing fees, the fees and expenses for registration or qualification of each Funds shares under federal and state securities laws, all expenses of shareholders and Trustees meetings and of preparing, printing and mailing reports to shareholders and the compensation of Trustees who are not directors, officers or employees of the Investment Manager, Subadviser or their affiliates, other than affiliated registered investment companies. The Investment Manager compensates all executive and clerical personnel and Trustees of the Trust if such persons are employees of the Investment Manager or its affiliates.
The Subadvisory Agreements require the Subadviser to provide fair and equitable treatment to the respective Fund in the selection of portfolio investments and the allocation of investment opportunities.
51
However, it does not obligate the Subadviser to acquire for the Funds a position in any investment that any of the Subadvisers other clients may acquire. The Funds shall have no first refusal, co-investment or other rights in respect of any such investment, either for the Funds or otherwise.
Although the Subadviser makes investment decisions for the Funds independent of those for its other clients, it is likely that similar investment decisions will be made from time to time. When a Fund and other clients of the Subadviser are simultaneously engaged in the purchase or sale of the same security, the transactions are, to the extent feasible and practicable, averaged as to price and the amount is allocated between the Fund and the other client(s) pursuant to a formula considered equitable by the Subadviser. In specific cases, this system could have an adverse effect on the price or volume of the security to be purchased or sold by a Fund. However, the Trustees believe, over time, that coordination and the ability to participate in volume transactions should benefit each Fund.
The Investment Management Agreement provides that, in the absence of willful misfeasance, bad faith, negligence, or reckless disregard of its obligations or duties, the Investment Manager is not subject to liability to the Funds or any Fund shareholder for any act or omission in the course of, or connected with, the matters to which the Investment Management Agreement relates. The Subadvisory Agreements provide that the Subadviser shall not be subject to any liability for any act or omission, error of judgment, or mistake of law or for any loss suffered by the Investment Manager or the Trust in connection with the Subadvisory Agreements, except by reason of the Subadvisers willful misfeasance, bad faith, or negligence in the performance of its duties, or by reason of the Subadvisers reckless disregard of its obligations and duties under the Subadvisory Agreements.
The Trust may rely on an exemptive order from the SEC that permits the Investment Manager, subject to certain conditions and oversight by the Board of Trustees, to enter into subadvisory agreements with unaffiliated subadvisers approved by the Trustees but without the requirement of shareholder approval. Under the terms of this exemptive order, the Investment Manager is able, subject to certain conditions (including a 90 day notification requirement discussed below) and approval by the Board of Trustees but without shareholder approval, to hire new unaffiliated subadvisers for the Funds, change the terms of a subadvisory agreement for an unaffiliated subadviser, or continue the employment of an unaffiliated subadviser after events that under the 1940 Act and the subadvisory agreement would be deemed to be an automatic termination of the subadvisory agreement provided that the Investment Manager provides notification to shareholders within 90 days of the hiring of an unaffiliated subadviser. The Investment Manager, subject to oversight by the Trustees, has ultimate responsibility to oversee the subadvisers and recommend their hiring, termination, and replacement. Although shareholder approval will not be required for the termination of subadvisory agreements, shareholders of a Fund will continue to have the right to terminate such subadvisory agreements for the Fund at any time by a vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Fund. The Investment Manager may not change a subadviser to the Funds without approval of the Board of Trustees and, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, shareholder approval. Affiliated subadvisers selected by the Investment Manager are subject to shareholder approval.
Compensation of the Investment Manager and the Subadviser
As compensation for the investment management services rendered and related expenses under the Investment Management Agreement, each Fund has agreed to pay the Investment Manager an investment management fee, at the annual rates included in the table below, which is computed daily as a percentage of the value of the average daily net assets of the applicable Fund and may be paid monthly.
52
Fund |
Investment
Management Fee |
|||
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
0.55 | % | ||
AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund |
0.55 | % |
As compensation for the investment management services rendered and related expenses under the Subadvisory Agreements, the Investment Manager has agreed to pay the Subadviser a portion of the investment management fee (net of all mutually agreed-upon fee waivers and reimbursements) it receives for managing the Funds, which is also computed daily and paid monthly based on the average daily net assets that the Subadviser manages. The fee paid to the Subadviser is paid out of the fee the Investment Manager receives from a Fund and does not increase a Funds expenses.
The Subadviser has agreed to reimburse the Investment Manager for certain fees and expenses incurred by the Investment Manager or Distributor on behalf of the Funds, by the Investment Manager, or by the Distributor, which may include, but are not limited to, administration fees, shareholder servicing fees and distribution-related expenses.
Investment Management Fees Paid by the Funds. Investment management fees paid to the Investment Manager by each Fund for advisory services for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2019 are as follows. The Investment Manager and/or Subadviser may voluntarily agree to waive or reimburse a portion of its management fee from time to time. Any voluntary waiver or reimbursement by the Investment Manager and/or Subadviser may be terminated or reduced in amount at any time and solely in the discretion of the Investment Manager or Subadviser.
Fund |
Total |
Waived/
Reimbursed* |
Net | |||||||||
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
||||||||||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019 |
$ | 850,725 | $ | 0 | $ | 850,725 | ||||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2018 |
$ | 843,839 | $ | 0 | $ | 843,839 | ||||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2017 |
$ | 643,149 | $ | 0 | $ | 643,149 | ||||||
AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund |
||||||||||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019 |
$ | 479,631 | $ | 0 | $ | 479,631 | ||||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2018 |
$ | 375,319 | $ | 0 | $ | 375,319 | ||||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2017 |
$ | 301,450 | $ | 0 | $ | 301,450 |
* |
As further described under Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of SharesExchange of Shares below, an investor may exchange shares of the Funds through the Investment Manager for shares in the Agency share class of the JPMorgan U.S. Government Money Market Fund (the JPMorgan Fund). The Investment Manager has entered into a Service Agreement and Supplemental Payment Agreement with the JPMorgan Funds distributor and investment adviser, respectively, that provide for a cash payment to the Investment Manager that compensates the Investment Manager for providing, directly or through an agent, administrative, sub-transfer agent and other shareholder services. The Investment Manager has voluntarily agreed to waive or reimburse a portion of its management fee in the amount of the cash payments it receives under these agreements, amounts which are reflected in the table as amounts waived/reimbursed. Any such voluntary waiver or reimbursement is not recoverable by the Investment Manager from a Fund under the expense limitations described under Expense Limitations below. See Purchase, Redemption and Pricing of SharesExchange of Shares below for more information on the JPMorgan Fund and the Service Agreement and Supplemental Payment Agreement. |
Expense Limitations
From time to time, the Investment Manager may agree to limit a Funds expenses by agreeing to waive all or a portion of the investment management fee and certain other fees it would otherwise be entitled to receive from a Fund and/or pay or reimburse certain Fund expenses above a specified
53
maximum amount (i.e., an expense limitation). The Investment Manager may waive all or a portion of its fees and/or pay or reimburse Fund expenses for a number of reasons, such as passing on to the Fund and its shareholders the benefit of reduced portfolio management fees resulting from a waiver by the Investment Manager or Subadviser of all or a portion of the fees it would otherwise be entitled to receive from the Fund, or attempting to make a Funds performance more competitive as compared to similar funds. The tables below and, if applicable, the Annual Fund Operating Expenses table (including footnotes thereto) located in the front of each Funds Prospectus reflect the impact of the Funds contractual expense limitations, if any, in effect during the periods shown. In general, for a period of up to 36 months after the date any amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Investment Manager pursuant to a Funds contractual expense limitation, the Investment Manager may recover such amounts from the Fund provided that such repayment would not cause the Funds total annual operating expenses (exclusive of the items noted in the Funds Prospectus) to exceed either (i) the expense limitation in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed, or (ii) the expense limitation in effect at the time of such repayment by the Fund. In general, contractual expense limitations are only terminated at the end of a term, and shareholders will generally be notified of any change on or about the time that it becomes effective.
All fees waived and/or expenses reimbursed to (or repayments by) each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2019 are as follows:
AMG GW&K
Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019 |
$ | 0 | ||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2018 |
$ | 0 | ||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2017 |
$ | 0 | ||
AMG GW&K
Emerging Wealth Equity Fund |
||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019 |
$ | (14,028 | ) | |
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2018 |
$ | (47,342 | ) | |
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2017 |
$ | (25,129 | ) |
The Investment Manager also serves as the administrator to the Funds and receives compensation from the Trust pursuant to an administration agreement between the Trust and the Investment Manager. For more information about the administration agreement, see Administrative Services below.
Portfolio Managers of the Funds
Unless otherwise indicated, all information below is as of October 31, 2019.
GW&K has served as Subadviser to the Funds since January 31, 2019. AMG has a majority ownership and controlling interest in GW&K that it acquired from The Bank of New York Mellon (BNY) on October 1, 2008. As of December 31, 2019, GW&Ks assets under management were approximately $42.155 billion.
Pablo Salas, William Sterling, and Brad Miller serve as the portfolio managers jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund.
Thomas Masi and Nuno Fernandes, serve as the portfolio managers jointly and primarily responsible for the day-to-day management of AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund.
54
Other Accounts Managed by the Portfolio Managers
Portfolio Manager: William Sterling |
||||||||||||||||
Type of Account |
Number Of
Accounts Managed |
Total Assets
Managed ($ Millions) |
Number of
Accounts Managed For Which Advisory Fee is Performance Based* |
Assets Managed
For Which Advisory Fee is Performance Based ($ Millions)* |
||||||||||||
Registered Investment Companies |
2 | $ | 170 | None | $ | 0 | ||||||||||
Other Pooled Investment Vehicles |
2 | $ | 878 | 1 | $ | 57 | ||||||||||
Other Accounts |
10 | $ | 448 | None | $ | 0 |
* |
While certain pooled investment vehicles may pay GW&K a fee based on the assets under management, certain investors in the pooled investment vehicles may have negotiated performance fee arrangements directly with GW&K. For purposes of this disclosure, each investor that has a performance fee arrangement is counted as an account and the total assets in the pooled investment vehicle that have a performance component are included in the respective column for assets that have a performance fee. |
* |
While certain pooled investment vehicles may pay GW&K a fee based on the assets under management, certain investors in the pooled investment vehicles may have negotiated performance fee arrangements directly with GW&K. For purposes of this disclosure, each investor that has a performance fee arrangement is counted as an account and the total assets in the pooled investment vehicle that have a performance component are included in the respective column for assets that have a performance fee. |
55
* |
While certain pooled investment vehicles may pay GW&K a fee based on the assets under management, certain investors in the pooled investment vehicles may have negotiated performance fee arrangements directly with GW&K. For purposes of this disclosure, each investor that has a performance fee arrangement is counted as an account and the total assets in the pooled investment vehicle that have a performance component are included in the respective column for assets that have a performance fee. |
* |
While certain pooled investment vehicles may pay GW&K a fee based on the assets under management, certain investors in the pooled investment vehicles may have negotiated performance fee arrangements directly with GW&K. For purposes of this disclosure, each investor that has a performance fee arrangement is counted as an account and the total assets in the pooled investment vehicle that have a performance component are included in the respective column for assets that have a performance fee. |
56
* |
While certain pooled investment vehicles may pay GW&K a fee based on the assets under management, certain investors in the pooled investment vehicles may have negotiated performance fee arrangements directly with GW&K. For purposes of this disclosure, each investor that has a performance fee arrangement is counted as an account and the total assets in the pooled investment vehicle that have a performance component are included in the respective column for assets that have a performance fee. |
Potential Material Conflicts of Interest
GW&Ks portfolio managers simultaneously manage multiple types of portfolios, including separate accounts, wrap fee programs and sub advised mutual funds, according to the same or a similar investment strategy as the applicable Fund. However, the portfolios managed by a portfolio manager may not have portfolio compositions identical to those of the Fund managed by the portfolio manager due, for example, to specific investment limitations or guidelines present in some portfolios or funds but not others. The portfolio managers may purchase securities for one portfolio and not another portfolio, and the performance of securities purchased for one portfolio may vary from the performance of securities purchased for other portfolios. A portfolio manager may place transactions on behalf of other accounts that are directly or indirectly contrary to investment decisions made on behalf of a Fund, or make investment decisions that are similar to those made for a Fund, both of which have the potential to adversely impact the Fund depending on market conditions. For example, a portfolio manager may purchase a security in one portfolio while appropriately selling that same security in another portfolio. In addition, some of these portfolios have fee structures that are or have the potential to be higher than the advisory fees paid by a Fund, which can cause potential conflicts in the allocation of investment opportunities between the Funds and the other accounts. However, the compensation structure for portfolio managers (see Portfolio Manager Compensation below) generally does not provide any incentive to favor one account over another because that part of a managers bonus based on performance is not based on the performance of one account to the exclusion of others.
While GW&K has policies and procedures to help ensure accounts are treated fairly and equitably over time not all accounts within a strategy will be managed the same at all times. Different client guidelines and/or differences within the investment strategies may lead to the use of different investment practices for accounts within the same or similar investment strategy.
Portfolio Manager Compensation
Portfolio manager compensation is a formula that balances investment management results and growth of the product. Compensation is comprised of a fixed base salary which is determined by the individuals experience and position relative to market data, as well as a bonus that incorporates 3 components:
|
Performance (of strategies managed by the portfolio manager based on composite returns) Relative to Peers |
|
Risk-Adjusted Performance (of strategies managed by the portfolio manager based on composite returns) Relative to applicable Benchmarks |
|
Discretionary |
57
The bonus is not based specifically on the performance of the Fund nor is it based specifically on the assets held by the Fund.
Portfolio Managers Ownership of Fund Shares
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund
|
Mr. Salas: |
Over $1,000,000 |
||
Mr. Sterling: |
Over $1,000,000 |
|||
Mr. Miller: |
None |
AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund
|
Mr. Masi: |
Over $1,000,000 |
||
Mr. Fernandes: |
$500,001 to $1,000,000 |
Proxy Voting Policies and Procedures
Proxies for each Funds portfolio securities are voted in accordance with GW&Ks proxy voting policies and procedures, which are set forth in Appendix A to this SAI, except that for a proxy with respect to shares of an ETF held by a Fund, in connection with an SEC exemptive order on which the Fund relies with respect to the ETF, the Investment Manager may vote the proxy in the same proportion as the vote of all other holders of shares of the ETF. Information regarding how each Fund voted proxies relating to its portfolio securities during the most recent twelve month period ended June 30 is available: (i) without charge, upon request, by calling (800) 548-4539; and (ii) on the SECs website at http://www.sec.gov.
Codes of Ethics
The Trust, the Investment Manager, the Distributor and the Subadviser have adopted codes of ethics under Rule 17j-1 of the 1940 Act. These codes of ethics, which generally permit personnel subject to the codes to invest in securities, including securities that may be purchased or held by a Fund, contain procedures that are designed to avoid the conflicts of interest that may be presented by personal securities investing.
Administrative Services
Effective October 1, 2016, the Investment Manager entered into an Amended and Restated Administration Agreement (the Fund Administration Agreement) with the Trust on behalf of the Funds. Under the Fund Administration Agreement, the Investment Manager also serves as administrator of the Funds and is responsible for certain aspects of managing the Funds operations, including administration and shareholder servicing. The administrative and shareholder services to be provided include, but are not limited to, processing and/or coordinating Fund share purchases and redemptions, responding to inquiries from shareholders, providing omnibus level support for financial intermediaries who perform sub-accounting for shares held of record by financial intermediaries for the benefit of other beneficial owners and other general and administrative responsibilities for each Fund. For providing these services, each Fund pays the Investment Manager 0.15% of its average daily net assets per annum. The Fund Administration Agreement generally may be terminated by the Investment Manager upon at least 60 days prior written notice to the Trust, and by the Trust upon at least 60 days prior written notice to the Investment Manager.
58
Fees paid by the Funds under the Fund Administration Agreement for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2019 are as follows.
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019 |
$ | 232,016 | ||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2018 |
$ | 230,138 | ||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2017 |
$ | 175,404 | ||
AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund |
||||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2019 |
$ | 130,809 | ||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2018 |
$ | 102,360 | ||
Fiscal Year Ended October 31, 2017 |
$ | 82,214 |
Distribution Arrangements
Under a Distribution Agreement between the Trust and the Distributor (the Distribution Agreement), the Distributor serves as the principal distributor and underwriter for the Funds. The Distributor is a registered broker-dealer and member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority, Inc. (FINRA). Shares of the Funds will be continuously offered and will be sold directly to prospective purchasers and through brokers, dealers or other financial intermediaries who have executed selling agreements with the Distributor. Subject to the compensation arrangements discussed below, generally the Distributor bears all or a portion of the expenses of providing services pursuant to the Distribution Agreement, including the payment of the expenses relating to the distribution of the Funds Prospectus for sales purposes and any advertising or sales literature. Any costs and expenses not allocated to the Distributor shall be borne by the Investment Manager or an affiliate of the Investment Manager as agreed-upon between the Distributor and the Investment Manager from time to time. The Distributor is not obligated to sell any specific amount of shares of the Funds.
The Distribution Agreement may be terminated by either party under certain specified circumstances and will automatically terminate on assignment in the same manner as the Investment Management Agreement. The Distribution Agreement remains in effect for one year from the date of its execution and thereafter from year to year, provided that each such continuance is specifically approved at least annually (i) by vote of the Trustees of the Trust and (ii) by vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operation of the Distribution Agreement or any plan adopted by the Trust under Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on the Distribution Agreement.
For sales of Fund shares, the Distributor may provide promotional incentives including cash compensation to certain brokers, dealers, or financial intermediaries whose representatives have sold or are expected to sell significant amounts of shares of the Funds. Other programs may provide, subject to certain conditions, additional compensation to brokers, dealers, or financial intermediaries based on a combination of aggregate shares sold and increases of assets under management. All of the above payments will be made pursuant to the Rule 12b-1 distribution and service plan described below and possibly supplemented by payments by the Distributor or its affiliates out of their own assets, or, in the case of such shares that are not subject to a Rule 12b-1 distribution and service plan, only by the Distributor or its affiliates out of their own assets.
59
The Distributors principal address is 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830.
Rule 12b-1 Distribution and Service Plan. The Trust has adopted a Plan of Distribution with respect to Class N shares of the Funds (the Plan), in accordance with the requirements of Rule 12b-1 under the 1940 Act and the requirements of the applicable rules of FINRA regarding asset-based sales charges. All share classes of the Funds are sold without a front end or contingent deferred sales load and Class I and Class Z shares of the Funds are not subject to the expenses of any Rule 12b-1 distribution and service plan.
Pursuant to the Plan, the Funds may compensate the Distributor, brokers, dealers or other financial intermediaries (in each case, not limited to expenses incurred) for engaging, directly or indirectly, in any activity primarily intended to result in the sale of Class N shares of each Fund, for the reimbursement of related expenses, and for the maintenance and personal service (servicing) provided to shareholders of that class. The Plan authorizes payments of up to 0.25% annually of each Funds average daily net assets attributable to Class N shares.
The portion of payments made by Class N shares of each Fund under the Plan for shareholder servicing may not exceed an annual rate of 0.25% of the average daily NAV of the Funds shares of that class owned by clients of any broker, dealer or financial intermediary.
In accordance with the terms of the Plan, the Distributor provides to each Fund, for review by the Trustees, a quarterly written report of the amounts expended under the Plan and the purpose for which such expenditures were made. In the Trustees quarterly review of the Plan, they will review the level of compensation the Plan provides in considering the continued appropriateness of the Plan.
Under its terms, the Plan remains in effect from year to year provided such continuance is approved annually by vote of the Trustees in the manner described therein. The Plan may not be amended to increase materially the amount to be spent under the Plan without approval of the shareholders of the affected share class, and material amendments to the Plan must also be approved by the Trustees in a manner described therein. The Plan may be terminated at any time, without payment of any penalty, by vote of the majority of the Trustees who are not interested persons (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Trust and have no direct or indirect financial interest in the operations of the Plan or any related agreements, or by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund or applicable share class.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, Class N shares of AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund and AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund paid $1,077 and $5,086, respectively, under the Plan.
Custodian
The Bank of New York Mellon, a subsidiary of The Bank of New York Mellon Corporation (the Custodian), 111 Sander Creek Parkway, 2nd Floor, East Syracuse, New York 13057, is the custodian for the Funds. The Custodian is responsible for holding all cash assets and all portfolio securities of the Funds, releasing and delivering such securities as directed by the Funds, maintaining bank accounts in the names of the Funds, receiving for deposit into such accounts payments for shares of the Funds, collecting income and other payments due to the Funds with respect to portfolio securities and paying out monies of the Funds.
60
The Custodian is authorized to deposit securities in securities depositories or to use the services of sub-custodians, including foreign sub-custodians, to the extent permitted by and subject to the regulations of the SEC.
Transfer Agent
BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., P.O. Box 9769, Providence, Rhode Island 02940-9769 (the Transfer Agent), is the transfer agent for the Funds and also serves as the dividend disbursing agent for the Funds.
Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm
PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, 101 Seaport Boulevard, Suite 500, Boston, Massachusetts 02210, is the independent registered public accounting firm for the Funds. PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP conducts an annual audit of the financial statements of each Fund, assists in the preparation and/or review of each Funds federal and state income tax returns and may provide other audit, tax and related services.
Securities Lending
The Board of Trustees has approved each Funds participation in a securities lending program. Under the securities lending program, the Trust has retained The Bank of New York Mellon to serve as its securities lending agent.
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, the income earned by each Fund as well as the fees and/or compensation paid by such Fund (in dollars) pursuant to the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement between the Trust and The Bank of New York Mellon with respect to the Funds (the Securities Lending Authorization Agreement) were as follows:
61
AMG GW&K Emerging
Markets Equity Fund |
AMG GW&K Emerging
Wealth Equity Fund |
|||||||
Gross income earned by the Fund
|
$ | 98,588.22 | $ | 81,446.93 | ||||
Fees and/or compensation paid by the Fund for securities lending activities and related services |
|
|||||||
Fees paid to The Bank of New York Mellon from a revenue split |
$ | 7,631.28 | $ | 10,146.86 | ||||
Fees paid for any cash collateral management service (including fees deducted from a pooled cash collateral reinvestment vehicle) that are not included in a revenue split |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | ||||
Administrative fees not included in a revenue split |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | ||||
Indemnification fees not included in a revenue split |
$ | 0.00 | $ | 0.00 | ||||
Rebate (paid to borrower) |
$ | 57,484.86 | $ | 22,695.89 | ||||
Aggregate fees/compensation paid by
|
$ | 65,116.14 | $ | 32,842.75 | ||||
Net income from securities lending
|
$ | 33,472.08 | $ | 48,604.18 |
For the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019, The Bank of New York Mellon, acting as agent of the Funds, provided the following services to the Funds in connection with the Funds securities lending activities: (i) locating borrowers; (ii) monitoring daily the value of the loaned securities and collateral; (iii) seeking additional collateral as necessary from borrowers, and returning collateral to borrowers; (iv) receiving and holding collateral from borrowers, and facilitating the investment and reinvestment of cash collateral; (v) negotiating loan terms, including, but not limited to, the amount of any loan premium; (vi) selecting securities to be loaned; (vii) recordkeeping and account servicing; (viii) carrying out instructions of clients with respect to dividend activity and material proxy votes; and (ix) arranging for return of loaned securities to the Fund at loan termination.
BROKERAGE ALLOCATION AND OTHER PRACTICES
The Subadvisory Agreements provide that the Subadviser places all orders for the purchase and sale of securities that are held in each Funds portfolio. In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, it is the policy and principal objective of the Subadviser to seek to obtain best price and execution. It is expected that securities will ordinarily be purchased in the primary markets. The Subadviser shall consider all factors that it deems relevant when assessing best price and execution for a Fund, including the breadth of the market in the security, the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer and the reasonableness of the commission, if any (for the specific transaction and on a continuing basis).
62
In addition, when selecting brokers to execute transactions and in evaluating the best available net price and execution, the Subadviser is authorized by the Trustees to consider the brokerage and research services (as defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, as amended), provided by the broker. The Subadviser is also authorized to cause a Fund to pay a commission to a broker who provides such brokerage and research services for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker would have charged for effecting that transaction. The Subadviser must determine in good faith, however, that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided viewed in terms of that particular transaction or in terms of all the accounts over which the Subadviser exercises investment discretion. Brokerage and research services received from such brokers will be in addition to, and not in lieu of, the services required to be performed by the Subadviser. Each Fund may purchase and sell portfolio securities through brokers who provide the Subadviser with research services. Brokerage commissions may be used for the general benefit of all other clients of the Subadviser where legally and contractually permissible.
The revised EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive (MiFID II), which became effective January 3, 2018, requires EU investment managers in the scope of the EU Markets in Financial Instruments Directive to pay for research services from brokers and dealers directly out of their own resources or by establishing research payment accounts for each client, rather than through client commissions. MiFID IIs research requirements present various compliance and operational considerations for investment advisers and broker-dealers serving clients in both the United States and the EU. It is possible that a Subadviser subject to MiFID II will cause a Fund to pay for research services with soft dollars in circumstances where the Subadviser is prohibited from causing its other client accounts to do so, including where the Subadviser aggregates trades on behalf of a Fund and those other client accounts. In such situations, a Fund would bear the additional amounts for the research services and the Funds Subadvisers other client accounts would not, although the Subadvisers other client accounts might nonetheless benefit from those research services.
The Trustees will periodically review the total amount of commissions paid by the Funds to determine if the commissions paid over representative periods of time were reasonable in relation to commissions being charged by other brokers and the benefits to the Funds of using particular brokers or dealers. It is possible that certain of the services received by the Subadviser attributable to a particular transaction will primarily benefit one or more other accounts for which investment discretion is exercised by the Subadviser.
The fees of the Subadviser are not reduced by reason of its receipt, if any, of such brokerage and research services. Generally, the Subadviser does not provide any services to a Fund except portfolio investment management and related recordkeeping services. The Investment Manager may request that the Subadviser employ certain specific brokers who have agreed to pay certain Fund expenses. The use of such brokers is subject to best price and execution, and there is no specific amount of brokerage that is required to be placed through such brokers.
Brokerage Commissions
Aggregate brokerage commissions paid by each Fund for the fiscal years ended October 31, 2017, October 31, 2018 and October 31, 2019 are as follows:
AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund |
||||
Fiscal Year Ended |
Commissions
Paid |
|||
October 31, 2019 |
$ | 238,536 | ||
October 31, 2018 |
$ | 151,517 | ||
October 31, 2017 |
$ | 132,879 |
63
AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund |
||||
Fiscal Year Ended |
Commissions
Paid |
|||
October 31, 2019 |
$ | 95,525 | ||
October 31, 2018 |
$ | 82,700 | ||
October 31, 2017 |
$ | 87,853 |
Brokerage Recapture Arrangements
The Trust may enter into arrangements with various brokers pursuant to which a portion of the commissions paid by the Funds may be directed by the Funds to pay expenses of the Funds. Consistent with its policy and principal objective of seeking best price and execution, the Subadviser may consider these brokerage recapture arrangements in selecting brokers to execute transactions for the Funds. There is no specific amount of brokerage that is required to be placed through such brokers. In all cases, brokerage recapture arrangements relate solely to expenses of the Funds and not to expenses of the Investment Manager or the Subadviser.
PURCHASE, REDEMPTION AND PRICING OF SHARES
Purchasing Shares
Investors may open accounts directly with the Funds or through their financial planners or investment professionals, or directly with the Trust in circumstances as described in the current Prospectus. Shares may also be purchased through bank trust departments on behalf of their clients and tax-exempt employee welfare, pension and profit-sharing plans. The Trust reserves the right to determine which customers and which purchase orders the Trust will accept.
The Investment Manager, the Subadviser, and/or the Distributor may pay compensation (out of their own funds and not as an expense of the Funds) to certain affiliated or unaffiliated brokers, dealers, or other financial intermediaries or service providers in connection with the sale or retention of Fund shares and/or shareholder servicing. This compensation may provide such affiliated or unaffiliated entities with an incentive to favor sales of shares of a Fund over other investment options. Any such payments will not change the NAV or the price of a Funds shares.
Certain investors may purchase or sell a Funds shares through a third party such as a bank, broker-dealer (including through a fund supermarket platform), trust company or other financial intermediary (each of the above, a Financial Intermediary) that may impose transaction fees or other charges in connection with this service. Shares purchased in this way may be treated as a single account for purposes of the minimum initial investment. Each Fund has authorized one or more Financial Intermediaries to (i) receive purchase and redemption orders on its behalf and (ii) designate other intermediaries to receive purchase and redemption orders on the Funds behalf. A Fund will be deemed to have received a purchase or redemption order when an authorized Financial Intermediary or an authorized Financial Intermediarys authorized designee receives the order. These orders will be priced at a Funds NAV next calculated after they are so received by an authorized Financial Intermediary or such Financial Intermediarys authorized designee and accepted by the Fund. The Funds may from time to time make payments to Financial Intermediaries for certain services, such as account maintenance, recordkeeping or sub-accounting, forwarding communications to shareholders, providing shareholders with account statements, transaction processing and customer liaison services. Investors who do not wish to receive the services of a Financial Intermediary may consider investing directly with the Trust. Shares held
64
through a Financial Intermediary may be transferred into the investors name by contacting the Financial Intermediary or the Transfer Agent. Certain Financial Intermediaries and others may receive compensation from the Investment Manager, the Subadviser and/or the Distributor out of their legitimate profits in exchange for selling shares or for recordkeeping or other shareholder related services.
Purchase orders received by the Trust by 4:00 p.m. New York time at the address listed in the Funds current Prospectus on any day that the NYSE is open for business will receive the NAV computed that day. Purchase orders received after 4:00 p.m. from certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Fund(s), will also receive that days offering price, provided that the orders the processing organization transmits to the Fund(s) were received in proper form by the processing organization before 4:00 p.m. The broker-dealer, omnibus processor or investment professional is responsible for promptly transmitting orders to the Trust. Orders transmitted to the Trust at the address indicated in the Prospectus will be promptly forwarded to the Transfer Agent.
Federal funds or bank wires used to pay for purchase orders must be in U.S. dollars and received in advance, except for certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Trust. Purchases made by check are effected when the check is received, but are accepted subject to collection at full face value in U.S. funds and must be drawn in U.S. dollars on a U.S. bank.
To ensure that checks are collected by the Trust, if shares purchased by check or by Automated Clearing House funds (ACH) are sold before the check has cleared, the redemption proceeds will not be processed until the check has cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days unless arrangements are made with the Investment Manager. However, during this 15 calendar day period, such shareholder may exchange such shares into any series of the Trust, AMG Funds I, AMG Funds II, AMG Funds III or AMG Funds IV, subject to applicable restrictions such as minimum investment amounts. The 15 calendar day holding period for redemptions would still apply to shares received through such exchanges.
If the check accompanying any purchase order does not clear, or if there are insufficient funds in your bank account, the transaction will be canceled and you will be responsible for any loss the Trust incurs. For current shareholders, the Trust can redeem shares from any identically registered account in the Trust as reimbursement for any loss incurred. The Trust has the right to prohibit or restrict all future purchases in the Trust in the event of any nonpayment for shares. The Funds and the Distributor reserve the right to reject any order for the purchase of shares in whole or in part. The Trust reserves the right to cancel any purchase order for which payment has not been received by the third business day following placement of the order.
In the interest of economy and convenience, share certificates will not be issued. All share purchases are confirmed to the record holder and credited to such holders account on the Trusts books maintained by the Transfer Agent.
Redeeming Shares
Any redemption orders received in proper form by the Trust before 4:00 p.m. New York time on any day that the NYSE is open for business will receive the NAV determined at the close of regular business of the NYSE on that day. Redemption orders received after 4:00 p.m. from certain processing organizations that have entered into contractual arrangements with the Funds will also be redeemed at the NAV computed that day, provided that the orders the processing organization transmits to a Fund were received in proper form by the processing organization before 4:00 p.m.
Redemption orders received after 4:00 p.m. New York time will be redeemed at the NAV determined at the close of trading on the next business day. Redemption orders transmitted to the Trust at the address indicated in the Funds current Prospectus will be promptly forwarded to the Transfer Agent. If you are trading through a broker-dealer or investment adviser, such investment professional is responsible for promptly transmitting orders.
65
The Trust reserves the right to redeem a shareholder account if its value (i) falls below $500 for Class N shares, $25,000 for Class I shares or $50,000 for Class Z shares due to redemptions the shareholder makes, or (ii) is below $100, but, in each case, not until after a Fund gives the shareholder at least 60 days notice and the opportunity to increase the account balance to the minimum account balance amount. Whether the Trust will exercise its right to redeem shareholder accounts will be determined by the Investment Manager on a case-by-case basis.
A Fund may pay all or a portion of redemption proceeds with a distribution in kind of its portfolio securities, in lieu of cash, in conformity with applicable law, when such payment is in the best interest of the Fund. If shares are redeemed in kind, the redeeming shareholder might incur transaction costs in converting the assets to cash and the assets will be subject to market and other risks until they are sold. The method of valuing portfolio securities is described under Net Asset Value below, and such valuation will be made as of the same time the redemption price is determined.
Investors should be aware that redemptions from a Fund may not be processed if a redemption request is not submitted in proper form. To be in proper form, the request must include the shareholders taxpayer identification number, account number, Fund number and signatures of all account holders. All redemptions will be mailed to the address of record on the shareholders account. In addition, if shares purchased by check or ACH are sold before the check has cleared, the redemption proceeds will not be sent to the shareholder until the check has cleared. This may take up to 15 calendar days unless arrangements are made with the Investment Manager. The Trust reserves the right to suspend the right of redemption and to postpone the date of payment upon redemption beyond seven days as follows: (i) during periods when the NYSE is closed for business other than weekends and holidays or when trading on the NYSE is restricted as determined by the SEC by rule or regulation, (ii) during periods in which an emergency, as determined by the SEC, exists that causes disposal by a Fund of, or evaluation of the NAV of, portfolio securities to be unreasonable or impracticable, or (iii) for such other periods as the SEC may permit.
A Fund or the Transfer Agent may temporarily delay for more than seven days the disbursement of redemption proceeds from the account of a Specified Adult (as that term is defined in FINRA Rule 2165) based on a reasonable belief that financial exploitation of the Specified Adult has occurred, is occurring, has been attempted, or will be attempted, subject to certain conditions.
Exchange of Shares
As described in the Funds Prospectus, an investor may exchange shares of a Fund for shares of the same class of other funds in the Trust or for shares of other funds managed by the Investment Manager, subject to the applicable investment minimum. Not all funds managed by the Investment Manager offer all classes of shares or are open to new investors. In addition to exchanging into other funds managed by the Investment Manager as described above, an investor also may exchange shares of the Funds through the Investment Manager for shares in the Agency share class of the JPMorgan Fund (see below for more information about the JPMorgan Fund). Because an exchange is the sale of shares of the Fund exchanged out of and the purchase of shares of the fund exchanged into, the usual purchase and redemption procedures, requirements and restrictions apply to each exchange. The value of the shares exchanged must meet the minimum purchase requirement of the fund and class for which you are exchanging them, except that there is no minimum purchase requirement to exchange into the JPMorgan Fund if you exchange out of the Fund through the Investment Manager. Investors may exchange only into accounts that are registered in the same name with the same address and taxpayer identification number. In addition, an investor who intends to continue to maintain an account in a Fund may make an
66
exchange out of that Fund only if following the exchange the investor would continue to meet the Funds minimum investment amount. Settlement on the purchase of shares of another fund will occur when the proceeds from the redemption become available. Shareholders subject to U.S. federal income tax may recognize capital gains or losses on the exchange for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The Trust reserves the right to discontinue, alter or limit the exchange privilege at any time, subject to applicable law. Holding your shares through a financial intermediary, such as a broker, may affect your ability to use the exchange privilege or other investor services.
The JPMorgan Fund is advised, offered and distributed by JPMorgan Asset Management and its affiliates, but an investor may place an exchange order in the same manner as the investor places other exchange orders and as described in the Funds Prospectus, subject to the restrictions above. The Investment Manager has entered into a Service Agreement and Supplemental Payment Agreement with the JPMorgan Funds distributor and investment adviser, respectively, that provide for a cash payment to the Investment Manager with respect to the average daily NAV of the total number of shares of the JPMorgan Fund held by customers investing through the Investment Manager. This cash payment compensates the Investment Manager for providing, directly or through an agent, administrative, sub-transfer agent and other shareholder services, and not investment advisory or distribution related services.
Cost Basis Reporting
Upon the sale, redemption or exchange of Fund shares, the Funds or, in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary, may be required to provide you and the Internal Revenue Service (the IRS) with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Funds shares you redeemed or exchanged. See the Funds Prospectus for more information.
Net Asset Value
Each Fund computes its NAV for each class of shares once daily on Monday through Friday on each day on which the NYSE is open for trading, at the close of business of the NYSE, usually 4:00 p.m. New York time. The NAV will not be computed on the day the following legal holidays are observed: New Years Day, Martin Luther King, Jr. Day, Presidents Day, Good Friday, Memorial Day, Independence Day, Labor Day, Thanksgiving Day and Christmas Day. The Funds may close for purchases and redemptions at such other times as may be determined by the Board of Trustees to the extent permitted by applicable law. The time at which orders are accepted and shares are redeemed may be changed in case of an emergency or if the NYSE closes at a time other than 4:00 p.m. New York time.
The NAV per share of each class of a Fund is equal to the value of the classs net worth (assets minus liabilities) divided by the number of shares outstanding for that class. Equity securities traded on a national securities exchange or reported on the NASDAQ national market system (NMS) are valued at the last quoted sales price on the primary exchange or, if applicable, the NASDAQ official closing price or the official closing price of the relevant exchange or, lacking any sales, at the last quoted bid price or the mean between the last quoted bid and ask prices (the exchange mean price). Equity securities traded in the OTC market (other than NMS securities) are valued at the exchange mean price. Foreign equity securities (securities principally traded in markets other than U.S. markets) are valued at the official closing price on the primary exchange or, for markets that either do not offer an official closing price or where the official closing price may not be representative of the overall market, the last quoted sale price as of the close of the regular trading hours of the primary market or the value obtained for the security in accordance with the Trusts procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities. In addition, if a foreign exchange or market is closed on a day when the NYSE is open, the value of a security that is traded in the affected foreign exchange or market is the value obtained for the security in accordance with the Trusts procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities, if available, or the last value assigned to the security on the immediately preceding valuation date (unless such value is deemed to be unreliable).
67
Unless a foreign equity security is valued in accordance with the Trusts procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities, a foreign equity security for which there are no reported sales on the valuation date may be valued at the last quoted bid price or the exchange mean price. Fixed-income securities purchased with a remaining maturity exceeding 60 days are valued at the mean between the evaluated bid and ask prices (the evaluated mean price) or evaluated bid price provided by an authorized pricing service or, if an evaluated price is not available, by reference to other securities which are considered comparable in credit rating, interest rate, due date and other features (generally referred to as matrix pricing) or other similar pricing methodologies. In addition, foreign fixed-income securities purchased with a remaining maturity exceeding 60 days may be valued in accordance with the Trusts procedures for fair valuation of foreign securities. Fixed-income securities purchased with a remaining maturity of 60 days or less are valued at amortized cost, provided that the amortized cost value is approximately the same as the fair value of the security valued without the use of amortized cost. With respect to foreign equity securities and foreign fixed-income securities, the Board has adopted a policy that securities held in a Fund that can be fair valued by the applicable fair value pricing service are fair valued on each business day provided that each individual price exceeds a pre-established confidence level. Notwithstanding the foregoing, foreign currency exchange contracts, subscription stock rights, warrants and other redeemable securities with predetermined values, shares of open-end registered investment companies (excluding ETFs), foreign currencies, IPOs, financial derivatives, foreign investor-only common stock issued by companies in various countries that issue two separate common stock lines (one for foreign investors and one for local investors), and securities halted or delisted due to a corporate action will be valued in accordance with the Funds valuation procedures adopted from time to time. The Funds portfolio instruments are generally valued using independent pricing services approved by the Board. In the event that the market quotation, price or market based valuation for a portfolio instrument is not readily available or otherwise not determinable pursuant to the Boards valuation procedures, if the Investment Manager believes the quotation, price or market based valuation to be unreliable, or in certain other circumstances, the portfolio instrument may be valued at fair value, as determined in good faith and pursuant to procedures established by and under the general supervision of the Board. All portfolio instrument valuations described above on a valuation date shall be valuations of such instruments as of or prior to the close of business of the NYSE.
Frequent Purchase and Redemption Arrangements
The Trust does not have any arrangements with any person to permit frequent purchases and redemptions of Fund shares, and no compensation or other consideration is received by the Funds, the Investment Manager or any other party in this regard.
Dividends and Distributions
Each Fund declares and pays dividends and distributions as described in the Prospectus.
If a shareholder has elected to receive dividends and/or distributions in cash and the postal or other delivery service is unable to deliver the checks to the shareholders address of record, the dividends and/or distributions will automatically be converted to having the dividends and/or distributions reinvested in additional shares. No interest will accrue on amounts represented by uncashed dividend or redemption checks.
CERTAIN U.S. FEDERAL INCOME TAX MATTERS
The following summary of certain U.S. federal income tax considerations is intended for general informational purposes only. This discussion is not tax advice. This discussion does not address all aspects of taxation (including state, local, and foreign taxes) that may be relevant to particular
68
shareholders in light of their own investment or tax circumstances, or to particular types of shareholders (including insurance companies, tax-advantaged retirement plans, financial institutions or broker-dealers, foreign corporations, and persons who are not citizens or residents of the United States) subject to special treatment under U.S. federal income tax laws. This summary is based on the Code, the regulations thereunder, published rulings and court decisions, in effect as of the date of this SAI. These laws are subject to change, possibly on a retroactive basis.
YOU ARE ADVISED TO CONSULT YOUR OWN TAX ADVISOR WITH RESPECT TO THE SPECIFIC TAX CONSEQUENCES OF AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IN LIGHT OF YOUR PARTICULAR CIRCUMSTANCES. THIS DISCUSSION IS NOT INTENDED AS A SUBSTITUTE FOR CAREFUL TAX PLANNING.
U.S. Federal Income Taxation of the Fundsin General
Each Fund has elected to be treated and intends to qualify and to be eligible to be treated each taxable year as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. In order to qualify as such and to be so treated, each Fund must, among other things:
(a) |
derive at least 90% of its gross income in each taxable year from (i) dividends, interest, payments with respect to certain securities loans, gains from the sale or other disposition of stock, securities or foreign currencies, or other income (including, but not limited to, gains from options, futures, or forward contracts) derived with respect to its business of investing in such stock, securities, or currencies and (ii) net income derived from interests in qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below) (all such income, Qualifying Income); |
(b) |
invest the Funds assets in such a manner that, as of the close of each quarter of its taxable year, (i) at least 50% of the value of the Funds total assets is represented by cash and cash items (including receivables), U.S. Government securities and securities of other regulated investment companies, and other securities limited in respect of any one issuer (except with regard to certain investment companies furnishing capital to development corporations) to an amount not greater in value than 5% of the value of the Funds total assets and to not more than 10% of the outstanding voting securities of such issuer, and (ii) not more than 25% of the value of the Funds total assets is invested, including through corporations in which the Fund owns a 20% or more voting stock interest, in (x) the securities (other than U.S. Government securities or the securities of other regulated investment companies) of any one issuer, or two or more issuers each of which the Fund owns 20% or more of the total combined voting power of all classes of stock entitled to vote, and that are engaged in the same, similar or related trades or businesses, or (y) the securities of one or more qualified publicly traded partnerships (as defined below); and |
(c) |
distribute with respect to each taxable year at least 90% of the sum of its investment company taxable income (as that term is defined in the Code without regard to the deduction for dividends paidgenerally, taxable ordinary income and the excess, if any, of net short-term capital gains over net long-term capital losses) and net tax-exempt interest income, for such year. |
In general, for purposes of the 90% gross income requirement described in paragraph (a) above, income derived from a partnership will be treated as Qualifying Income to a Fund only to the extent such income is attributable to items of income of the partnership which would be Qualifying Income if realized by the Fund. However, 100% of the net income derived from an interest in a qualified publicly traded
69
partnership (a partnership (x) the interests in which are traded on an established securities market or are readily tradable on a secondary market or the substantial equivalent thereof, and (y) that derives less than 90% of its income from the Qualifying Income described in paragraph (a)(i) above) will be treated as Qualifying Income. In general, such entities will be treated as partnerships for U.S. federal income tax purposes because they meet the passive income requirement under Section 7704(c)(2) of the Code. In addition, although in general the passive loss rules of the Code do not apply to regulated investment companies, such rules do apply to a regulated investment company with respect to items attributable to an interest in a qualified publicly traded partnership. For purposes of the diversification test in paragraph (b) above, the term outstanding voting securities of such issuer will include the equity securities of a qualified publicly traded partnership. Also, for purposes of the diversification test in paragraph (b) above, the identification of the issuer (or, in some cases, issuers) of a particular Fund investment will depend on the terms and conditions of that investment. In some cases, identification of the issuer (or issuers) is uncertain under current law, and an adverse determination or future guidance by the IRS with respect to issuer identification for a particular type of investment may adversely affect a Funds ability to meet the diversification test in paragraph (b) above.
Gains from foreign currencies (including foreign currency options, foreign currency futures and foreign currency forward contracts) currently constitute Qualifying Income for purposes of the 90% test. However, the Treasury Department has the authority to issue regulations (possibly retroactively) excluding from the definition of Qualifying Income a Funds foreign currency gains to the extent that such income is not directly related to the Funds principal business of investing in stock or securities. This could affect the qualification of a Fund as a regulated investment company.
If a Fund qualifies for treatment as a regulated investment company, the Fund generally will not be subject to U.S. federal income tax on its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and net capital gain (net long-term capital gains in excess of net short-term capital losses, in each case determined with reference to capital losses carried forward from prior years), if any, that it distributes in a timely manner to shareholders in the form of dividends (including Capital Gain Dividends, as defined below).
If a Fund were to fail to meet the income, diversification or distribution tests described above, the Fund could in some cases cure such failure, including by paying a Fund-level tax, paying interest, making additional distributions or disposing of certain assets. If a Fund were ineligible to or otherwise did not cure such failure for any taxable year, or if the Fund were otherwise to fail to qualify for treatment as a regulated investment company for such taxable year, it would lose the beneficial tax treatment accorded regulated investment companies under Subchapter M of the Code and all of its taxable income would be subject to tax at regular corporate rates without any deduction for distributions to shareholders. All distributions by such a Fund, including any distributions of net tax-exempt income, if any, and net long-term capital gains, would be taxable to shareholders in the same manner as other regular corporate dividends to the extent of the Funds current or accumulated earnings and profits. Some portions of such distributions might be eligible for treatment as qualified dividend income for individuals and for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders, in each case as described below. A Fund could be required to recognize unrealized gains, pay substantial taxes and interest and make substantial distributions before requalifying as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.
If a Fund were to fail to distribute in a calendar year at least an amount equal to the sum of 98% of its ordinary income for such calendar year and 98.2% of its capital gain net income for the one-year period ending on October 31 of such calendar year (or November 30 or December 31 of that year if the Fund is permitted to elect and so elects), plus any such amounts retained from the prior year, the Fund would be subject to a nondeductible 4% excise tax on the undistributed amounts. For purposes of the required excise tax distribution, a Funds ordinary gains and losses from the sale, exchange or other
70
taxable disposition of property that would otherwise be taken into account after October 31 of a calendar year (or November 30 of that year, if the Fund is eligible to make and makes the election described above) generally are treated as arising on January 1 of the following calendar year; in the case of a Fund with a December 31 year end that is eligible to make and makes the election described above, no such gains or losses will be so treated. Also, for these purposes, a Fund will be treated as having distributed any amount on which it is subject to corporate income tax for the taxable year ending within the calendar year. A dividend paid by a Fund to shareholders in January of a year generally is deemed to have been paid by such Fund on December 31 of the preceding year, if the dividend was declared and payable to shareholders of record on a date in October, November, or December of that preceding year. Each Fund intends generally to make sufficient distributions to avoid the imposition of this 4% excise tax, although there can be no assurance that it will be able to do so.
In determining its net capital gain, including in connection with determining the amount available to support a Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below), its taxable income, and its earnings and profits, a regulated investment company generally may elect to treat part or all of any post-October capital loss (defined as any net capital loss attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31 or, if there is no such loss, the net long-term capital loss or net short-term capital loss attributable to any such portion of the taxable year) or late-year ordinary loss (generally, the sum of its (i) net ordinary loss, if any, from the sale, exchange or other taxable disposition of property, attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after October 31, and (ii) other net ordinary loss attributable to the portion, if any, of the taxable year after December 31) as if incurred in the succeeding taxable year.
Capital losses in excess of capital gains (net capital losses) are not permitted to be deducted against a Funds net investment income. Instead, potentially subject to certain limitations, a Fund may carry net capital losses from any taxable year forward to subsequent taxable years to offset capital gains, if any, realized during such subsequent taxable years. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryforwards. Capital loss carryforwards are reduced to the extent they offset current-year net realized capital gains, whether a Fund retains or distributes such gains. If a Fund incurs or has incurred net capital losses, those losses will be carried forward to one or more subsequent taxable years without expiration to offset capital gains realized during such subsequent taxable years; any such carryforward losses will retain their character as short-term or long-term. A Fund must apply such carryforwards first against gains of the same character.
See each Funds most recent annual shareholder report for each Funds available capital loss carryforwards as of the end of its most recently ended fiscal year.
Taxation of the Funds Investments
Certain Debt Obligations; Original Issue Discount; Market Discount. For U.S. federal income tax purposes, some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance (and zero-coupon debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance) will be treated as having original issue discount (OID). OID is, very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price at maturity of a debt obligation over the issue price. OID is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as interest income earned by a Fund, which will comprise a part of the Funds investment company taxable income or net tax-exempt income, if any, required to be distributed to shareholders as described above, whether or not cash on the debt obligation is actually received. Generally, the amount of OID accrued each year is determined on the basis of a constant yield to maturity which takes into account the compounding of interest (as potentially reduced by any amortizable bond premiumsee below).
Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of more than one year from the date of issuance that are acquired by a Fund in the secondary market may be treated as having market discount. Very
71
generally, market discount is the excess of the stated redemption price of a debt obligation (or in the case of an obligation issued with OID, its revised issue price) over the purchase price of such obligation. Subject to the discussion below regarding Section 451 of the Code, (i) generally, any gain recognized on the disposition of, and any partial payment of principal on, a debt obligation having market discount is treated as ordinary income to the extent the gain, or principal payment, does not exceed the accrued market discount on such debt obligation, (ii) alternatively, the Fund may elect to accrue market discount currently, in which case the Fund will be required to include the accrued market discount in the Funds income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt obligation, and (iii) the rate at which the market discount accrues, and thus is included in the Funds income, will depend upon which of the permitted accrual methods the Fund elects. Notwithstanding the foregoing, effective for taxable years beginning after 2017, Section 451 of the Code generally requires any accrual method taxpayer to take into account items of gross income no later than the time at which such items are taken into account as revenue in the taxpayers financial statements. The Treasury and IRS have issued proposed regulations providing that this rule does not apply to the accrual of market discount. If this rule were to apply to the accrual of market discount, the Fund would be required to include in income any market discount as it takes the same into account on its financial statements.
Some debt obligations with a fixed maturity date of one year or less from the date of issuance may be treated as having OID or, in certain cases, acquisition discount (very generally, the excess of the stated redemption price over the purchase price). Generally, a Fund will be required to include the acquisition discount or OID in income (as ordinary income) and thus distribute it over the term of the debt obligation, even though payment of that amount is not received until a later time, upon partial or full repayment or disposition of the debt obligation. A Fund may make one or more of the elections applicable to debt obligations having acquisition discount or OID, which could affect the character and timing of recognition of income.
Pay-in-kind bonds also will give rise to income which is required to be distributed and is taxable even though a Fund holding the obligation receives no interest payment in cash on the obligation during the year.
If a Fund holds the foregoing kinds of obligations, or other obligations subject to special rules under the Code, it may be required to pay out as an income distribution each year an amount which is greater than the total amount of cash interest the Fund actually received. Such distributions may be made from the cash assets of a Fund or, if necessary, by selling of portfolio obligations including at a time when it may not be advantageous to do so. These dispositions may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event a Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend (see Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders, below) than if a Fund had not held such obligations.
Securities Issued or Purchased at a Premium. Very generally, where a Fund purchases a bond at a price that exceeds the stated principal amount (or revised issue price)that is, at a premiumthe premium is amortizable over the remaining term of the bond. In the case of a taxable bond, if a Fund makes an election applicable to all such bonds it purchases, which election is irrevocable without the consent of the IRS, the Fund reduces the current taxable income from the bond by the amortizable premium and reduces its tax basis in the bond (or the upward basis adjustment attributable to any OID) by the amount of such offset; upon the disposition or maturity of such bonds acquired on or after January 4, 2013, the Fund is permitted to deduct, against stated interest from other bonds, any remaining premium allocable to a prior period. In the case of a tax-exempt bond, tax rules require a Fund to reduce its tax basis by the amount of amortizable premium.
72
REITs. Any investment by a Fund in equity securities of REITs qualifying as real estate investment trusts under Subchapter M of the Code may result in the Funds receipt of cash in excess of the REITs earnings; if the Fund distributes these amounts, these distributions could constitute a return of capital to Fund shareholders for U.S. federal income tax purposes. Dividends received by a Fund from a REIT will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction and generally will not constitute qualified dividend income (see Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders, below).
Pursuant to proposed regulations on which the Funds may rely, distributions by a Fund to its shareholders that the Fund properly reports as section 199A dividends, as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, are treated as qualified REIT dividends in the hands of non-corporate shareholders. Non-corporate shareholders are permitted a federal income tax deduction equal to 20% of qualified REIT dividends received by them, subject to certain limitations. Very generally, a section 199A dividend is any dividend or portion thereof that is attributable to certain dividends received by a regulated investment company from REITs, to the extent such dividends are properly reported as such by the regulated investment company in a written notice to its shareholders. A section 199A dividend is treated as a qualified REIT dividend only if the shareholder receiving such dividend holds the dividend-paying regulated investment company shares for at least 46 days of the 91-day period beginning 45 days before the shares become ex-dividend, and is not under an obligation to make related payments with respect to a position in substantially similar or related property. A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as section 199A dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so.
Mortgage-Related Securities. A Fund may invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in real estate mortgage investment conduits (REMICs), including by investing in residual interests in collateralized mortgage obligations (CMOs) with respect to which an election to be treated as a REMIC is in effect, or equity interests in taxable mortgage pools (TMPs). Under a notice issued by the IRS in October 2006 and Treasury regulations that have yet to be issued but may apply retroactively, a portion of a Funds income (including income allocated to the Fund from certain pass-through entities) that is attributable to a residual interest in a REMIC or an equity interest in a TMP (referred to in the Code as an excess inclusion) will be subject to U.S. federal income tax in all events. This notice also provides, and the regulations are expected to provide, that excess inclusion income of a regulated investment company, such as a Fund, will be allocated to shareholders of the regulated investment company in proportion to the dividends received by such shareholders, with the same consequences as if the shareholders held the related interest directly. As a result, a Fund investing in such interests may not be a suitable investment for charitable remainder trusts (see Tax-Exempt Shareholders below).
In general, excess inclusion income allocated to shareholders (i) cannot be offset by net operating losses (subject to a limited exception for certain thrift institutions), (ii) will constitute unrelated business taxable income (UBTI) to entities (including a qualified pension plan, an individual retirement account, a 401(k) plan, a Keogh plan or other tax-exempt entity) subject to tax on UBTI, thereby potentially requiring such an entity that is allocated excess inclusion income, and otherwise might not be required to file a tax return, to file a tax return and pay tax on such income, and (iii) in the case of a non-U.S. shareholder, will not qualify for any reduction in U.S. federal withholding tax. A shareholder will be subject to U.S. federal income tax on such inclusions notwithstanding any exemption from such income tax otherwise available under the Code.
Options, Futures, Foreign Currencies, Forward Contracts, Swap Agreements, and Other Derivatives. A Funds use of options contracts, futures contracts, foreign currency forward contracts, ETNs, swaps and other derivatives, if any, may cause the Fund to recognize taxable income in excess of
73
the cash generated by such instruments. As a result, a Fund could be required at times to sell other investments in order to satisfy its distribution requirements under the Code. A Funds use of derivatives might also affect the amount, timing, or character of a Funds distributions. The character of a Funds taxable income will, in some cases, be determined on the basis of reports made to the Fund by the issuers of the securities in which they invest. In addition, because the tax rules applicable to such investments may be uncertain under current U.S. federal income tax law, an adverse determination or future IRS guidance with respect to these rules (which determination or guidance could be retroactive) may affect whether a Fund has derived its income from the proper sources, made sufficient distributions, and otherwise satisfied the relevant requirements, to maintain its qualification and eligibility for treatment as a regulated investment company and avoid a Fund-level tax.
Certain of a Funds investments may be subject to provisions of the Code that (i) require inclusion of unrealized gains in the Funds income for purposes of the excise tax and the distribution requirements applicable to regulated investment companies; (ii) defer recognition of realized losses; (iii) cause adjustments in the holding periods of portfolio securities; (iv) convert capital gains into ordinary income; (v) characterize both realized and unrealized gains or losses as short-term or long-term, irrespective of the holding period of the investment; and (vi) require inclusion of unrealized gains or losses in the Funds income for purposes of determining whether 90% of the Funds gross income is Qualifying Income. Such provisions may apply to, among other investments, futures contracts, options on futures contracts, options on securities, options on security indices, forward contracts, swaps, credit default swaps, short sales, securities loans or other similar transactions and foreign securities. Each Fund will monitor its transactions and may make certain tax elections available to it in order to mitigate the impact of these rules and prevent disqualification of the Fund as a regulated investment company.
In general, option premiums received by a Fund are not immediately included in the income of the Fund. Instead, the premiums are recognized when the option contract expires, the option is exercised by the holder, or the Fund transfers or otherwise terminates the option (e.g., through a closing transaction). If a call option written by a Fund is exercised and the Fund sells or delivers the underlying stock, the Fund generally will recognize capital gain or loss equal to (a) the sum of the strike price and the option premium received by the Fund minus (b) the Funds basis in the stock. Such gain or loss generally will be short-term or long-term depending upon the holding period of the underlying stock. If securities are purchased by a Fund pursuant to the exercise of a put option written by it, the Fund generally will subtract the premium received for purposes of computing its cost basis in the securities purchased. Gain or loss arising in respect of a termination of a Funds obligation under an option other than through the exercise of the option will be short-term gain or loss depending on whether the premium income received by the Fund is greater or less than the amount paid by the Fund, if any, in terminating the transaction. Thus, for example, if an option written by a Fund expires unexercised, the Fund generally will recognize short-term gain equal to the premium received.
The tax treatment of certain positions entered into by a Fund (including regulated futures contracts, certain foreign currency positions and certain listed non-equity options) will be governed by Section 1256 of the Code (section 1256 contracts). Gains or losses on section 1256 contracts generally are considered to be 60% long-term and 40% short-term capital gains or losses (60/40), although certain foreign currency gains and losses from such contracts may be treated as ordinary in character (See Foreign Currency Transactions and Hedging below). Also, section 1256 contracts held by a Fund at the end of each taxable year (and, for purposes of the 4% excise tax, on certain other dates as prescribed under the Code) are marked to market with the result that unrealized gains or losses are treated as though they were realized and the resulting gain or loss is treated as ordinary or 60/40 gain or loss, as applicable.
74
The timing and character of income and losses arising in respect of swap contracts are, in many instances, unclear. In addition, the tax treatment of a payment made or received on a swap contract held by a Fund, and in particular, whether such payment is, in whole or in part, capital or ordinary in character, will vary depending upon the terms of the particular swap contract.
Transactions in options, futures and forward contracts, and swaps undertaken by the Funds may result in straddles for U.S. federal income tax purposes. The straddle rules may affect the character of gains (or losses) realized by a Fund, and losses realized by a Fund on positions that are part of a straddle may be deferred under the straddle rules, rather than being taken into account in calculating the taxable income for the taxable year in which the losses are realized. In addition, certain carrying charges (including interest expenses) associated with positions in a straddle may be required to be capitalized rather than deducted currently. Certain elections that a Fund may make with respect to its straddle positions may also affect the amount, character, and timing of the recognition of gains or losses from the affected positions.
The straddle rules may increase the amount of short-term capital gain realized by a Fund, which is taxed as ordinary income when distributed to shareholders. Because application of the straddle rules may affect the character of gains or losses, defer losses and/or accelerate the recognition of gains or losses from the affected straddle positions, the amount which must be distributed to shareholders as ordinary income or long-term capital gain may be increased or decreased substantially as compared to a fund that did not engage in such transactions. The consequences to the Funds of certain transactions under the straddle rules remain unclear.
Foreign Currency Transactions and Hedging. Any transaction by a Fund in foreign currencies, foreign currency-denominated debt obligations or certain foreign currency options, futures contracts or forward contracts (or similar instruments) may give rise to ordinary income or loss to the extent such income or loss results from fluctuations in the value of the foreign currency concerned. Any such net gains could require a larger dividend toward the end of the calendar year. Any such net losses will generally reduce and potentially require the recharacterization of prior ordinary income distributions. Such ordinary income treatment may accelerate Fund distributions to shareholders and increase the distributions taxed to shareholders as ordinary income. Any net ordinary losses so created cannot be carried forward by the Fund to offset income or gains earned in subsequent taxable years. However, in certain circumstances, a Fund may elect to treat gains or losses from certain foreign currency positions as capital gains or losses.
Book-Tax Differences. Certain of a Funds investments in derivative instruments and foreign currency-denominated instruments, and any of a Funds transactions in foreign currencies and hedging activities, are likely to produce a difference between the Funds book income and the sum of the Funds taxable income and net tax-exempt income, if any. If such a difference arises, and a Funds book income exceeds the sum of its taxable income (including realized capital gains) and net tax-exempt income, if any, the distribution, if any, of such excess generally will be treated as (i) a dividend to the extent of the Funds remaining earnings and profits (including earnings and profits arising from tax-exempt income), (ii) thereafter, as a return of capital to the extent of the recipients basis in its shares, and (iii) thereafter, as gain from the sale or exchange of a capital asset. In the alternative, if a Funds book income is less than the sum of its taxable income and net tax-exempt income, if any, the Fund could be required to make distributions exceeding book income to qualify as a regulated investment company that is accorded special tax treatment.
Repurchase Agreements and Securities Loans. Any distribution of income that is attributable to (i) income received by a Fund in lieu of dividends with respect to securities on loan pursuant to a securities lending transaction or (ii) dividend income received by a Fund on securities it temporarily
75
purchased from a counterparty pursuant to a repurchase agreement that is treated for U.S. federal income tax purposes as a loan by the Fund, will not constitute qualified dividend income to individual shareholders and will not be eligible for the dividends-received deduction for corporate shareholders, in each case as described below. In addition, withholding taxes accrued on dividends during the period that such security was not directly held by a Fund will not qualify as a foreign tax paid by the Fund and therefore cannot be passed through to shareholders even if the Fund were otherwise to meet the requirements described in Foreign Taxes, below.
Passive Foreign Investment Companies. Under the Code, investments in certain foreign investment companies that qualify as passive foreign investment companies (PFICs) are subject to special tax rules. A PFIC is any foreign corporation in which (i) 75% or more of the gross income for the taxable year is passive income, or (ii) the average percentage of the assets (generally by value, but by adjusted tax basis in certain cases) that produce or are held for the production of passive income is at least 50%. Generally, passive income for this purpose means dividends, interest (including income equivalent to interest), royalties, rents, annuities, the excess of gains over losses from certain property transactions and commodities transactions, and foreign currency gains. Passive income for this purpose does not include rents and royalties received by the foreign corporation from active business and certain income received from related persons.
Equity investments by a Fund in certain PFICs could subject the Fund to a U.S. federal income tax or other charge (including interest charges) on distributions received from the PFIC or on proceeds received from the disposition of shares in the PFIC, which tax cannot be eliminated by making distributions to that Funds shareholders. However, in certain circumstances, a Fund may avoid this tax treatment by electing to treat the PFIC as a qualified electing fund (i.e., make a QEF election), in which case the Fund will be required to include its share of the PFICs income and net capital gains annually, regardless of whether it receives any distribution from the PFIC. Alternatively, a Fund may elect to mark the gains (and to a limited extent losses) in its PFIC holdings to the market as though it had sold (and repurchased) its holdings in those PFICs on the last day of the Funds taxable year. Such gains and losses are treated as ordinary income and loss. The QEF and mark-to-market elections may have the effect of accelerating the recognition of income (without the receipt of cash) and increasing the amount required to be distributed for the Fund to avoid taxation. Making either of these elections therefore may require a Fund to sell other investments (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to meet its distribution requirement, which also may accelerate the recognition of gain and affect the Funds total return. If a Fund indirectly invests in PFICs by virtue of the Funds investment in underlying U.S. funds, it may not make such elections; rather, the underlying U.S. funds directly investing in PFICs would decide whether to make such elections.
Because it is not always possible to identify a foreign corporation as a PFIC, a Fund may incur the tax and interest charges described above in some instances. Dividends paid by PFICs will not be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. See Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders, below.
Investments in Other RICs. A Funds investments in shares of other mutual funds, ETFs or other companies that are treated as regulated investment companies (each, an underlying RIC), can cause the Fund to be required to distribute greater amounts of net investment income or net capital gain than the Fund would have distributed had it invested directly in the securities held by the underlying RIC, rather than in shares of the underlying RIC. Further, the amount or timing of distributions from a Fund qualifying for treatment as a particular character (e.g., long-term capital gain, exempt interest, eligibility for dividends-received deduction, etc.) will not necessarily be the same as it would have been had the Fund invested directly in the securities held by the underlying RIC. If a Fund receives dividends from an underlying RIC, and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as qualified dividend income, then the Fund is permitted in turn to report a portion of its distributions as qualified dividend income, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying RIC.
76
If a Fund receives dividends from an underlying RIC and the underlying RIC reports such dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction, then the Fund is permitted in turn to report its distributions derived from those dividends as eligible for the dividends-received deduction as well, provided the Fund meets holding period and other requirements with respect to shares of the underlying RIC. (Qualified dividend income and the dividends-received deduction are described below.)
Taxation of Certain Investments. Including as described above, certain of each Funds investments will create taxable income in excess of the cash they generate. In such cases, a Fund may be required to sell assets (including when it is not advantageous to do so) to generate the cash necessary to distribute to its shareholders all of its income and gains and therefore to eliminate any tax liability at the Fund level. These dispositions may cause a Fund to realize higher amounts of short-term capital gains (generally taxed to shareholders at ordinary income tax rates) and, in the event the Fund realizes net capital gains from such transactions, its shareholders may receive a larger Capital Gain Dividend (as defined below) than if the Fund had not held such investments. The character of a Funds taxable income will, in many cases, be determined on the basis of reports made to the Fund by the issuers of the securities in which they invest. The tax treatment of certain securities in which the Funds may invest is not free from doubt and it is possible that an IRS examination of the issuers of such securities could result in adjustments to the income of each Fund.
Foreign Taxes. Income, proceeds and gains received by a Fund from sources within foreign countries may be subject to withholding and other taxes imposed by such countries. This will decrease a Funds yield on securities subject to such taxes. Tax treaties between certain countries and the U.S. may reduce or eliminate such taxes. It is impossible to determine the effective rate of foreign tax in advance because the amount of a Funds assets to be invested within various countries is not known. If more than 50% of a Funds assets at the end of its taxable year consists of the securities of foreign corporations, the Fund may elect to permit shareholders to claim a credit or deduction on their U.S. federal income tax returns for their pro rata portions of qualified taxes paid by the Fund to foreign countries in respect of foreign securities that the Fund has held for at least the minimum period specified in the Code. In such a case, shareholders will include in gross income from foreign sources their pro rata shares of such taxes paid by the Fund. A shareholders ability to claim an offsetting foreign tax credit or deduction in respect of foreign taxes paid by the Fund is subject to certain limitations imposed by the Code, which may result in the shareholders not receiving a full credit or deduction, if any, for the amount of such taxes. Shareholders who do not itemize deductions on their U.S. federal income tax returns may claim a credit (but not a deduction) for such foreign taxes. Shareholders that are not subject to U.S. federal income tax, and those who invest in a Fund through tax-advantaged accounts (including those who invest through individual retirement accounts or other tax-advantaged retirement plans), generally will receive no benefit from any tax credit or deduction passed through by the Fund.
If a Fund is not eligible to or does not make the above election, the Funds taxable income will be reduced by the foreign taxes paid or withheld, and shareholders will not be entitled separately to claim a credit or deduction with respect to such taxes. Shareholders are advised to consult their own tax advisors with respect to the treatment of foreign source income and foreign taxes under the U.S. federal income tax laws.
Federal Income Taxation of Shareholders
For U.S. federal income tax purposes, distributions of investment income are generally taxable to shareholders as ordinary income. Taxes on distributions of capital gains are determined by how long a Fund owned or is considered to have owned the investments that generated them, rather than how long a
77
shareholder may have owned shares in such Fund. In general, a Fund will recognize long-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for more than one year, and short-term capital gain or loss on investments it has owned (or is deemed to have owned) for one year or less. Distributions of net capital gain (that is, the excess of net long-term capital gain over net short-term capital loss, in each case determined with reference to loss carryforwards) that are properly reported by a Fund as capital gain dividends (Capital Gain Dividends) will be taxable to shareholders as long-term capital gains includible in net capital gain and taxed to individuals at reduced rates relative to ordinary income. Distributions from capital gains are generally made after applying any available capital loss carryforwards. Distributions of net short-term capital gain (as reduced by any net long-term capital loss for the taxable year) will be taxable to shareholders as ordinary income.
The Code generally imposes a 3.8% Medicare contribution tax on the net investment income of certain individuals, trusts and estates to the extent their income exceeds certain threshold amounts. For these purposes, net investment income generally includes, among other things, (i) distributions paid by a Fund of net investment income and capital gains as described above, and (ii) any net gain from the sale, redemption, exchange, or other taxable disposition of Fund shares. Shareholders are advised to consult their tax advisors regarding the possible implications of this additional tax on their investment in a Fund.
Each Fund intends to distribute at least annually to its shareholders all or substantially all of its investment company taxable income (computed without regard to the dividends-paid deduction) and its net tax-exempt income, if any, and may distribute its net capital gain. Taxable income that is retained by a Fund will be subject to tax at the Fund-level at regular corporate rates. Each Fund may also retain for investment its net capital gain. If a Fund retains any net capital gain, it will be subject to tax at the Fund-level at regular corporate rates on the amount retained, but may designate the retained amount as undistributed capital gains in a timely notice to its shareholders who (i) will be required to include in income for U.S. federal income tax purposes, as long-term capital gain, their shares of such undistributed amount, and (ii) will be entitled to credit their proportionate shares of the tax paid by the Fund on such undistributed amount against their U.S. federal income tax liabilities, if any, and to claim refunds on a properly filed U.S. tax return to the extent the credit exceeds such liabilities. If a Fund makes this designation, for U.S. federal income tax purposes, the tax basis of shares owned by a shareholder of the Fund will be increased by an amount equal under current law to the difference between the amount of undistributed capital gains included in the shareholders gross income and the tax deemed paid by the shareholder under clause (ii) of the preceding sentence. A Fund is not required to, and there can be no assurance a Fund will, make this designation if it retains all or a portion of its net capital gain in a taxable year.
Distributions are taxable to shareholders as described herein whether shareholders receive them in cash or reinvest them in additional shares through a dividend reinvestment plan.
Distributions by a Fund will result in a reduction in the fair market value of such Funds shares. A distribution may be taxable to the shareholder, even though, from an investment standpoint, it may constitute a partial return of capital. In particular, a shareholder that purchases shares of a Fund just prior to a taxable distribution will then receive a return of investment upon distribution which may nevertheless be taxable to the shareholder as ordinary income or capital gain.
Qualified dividend income received by an individual will be taxed at the reduced rates applicable to net capital gain. In order for some portion of the dividends received by a Fund shareholder to be qualified dividend income, the Fund must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to some portion of the dividend-paying stocks in its portfolio and the shareholder must meet holding period and other requirements with respect to the Funds shares. In general, a dividend will not be treated as qualified dividend income (at either the Fund or shareholder level) (i) if the dividend is received with
78
respect to any share of stock held for fewer than 61 days during the 121-day period beginning on the date which is 60 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (or, in the case of certain preferred stock, 91 days during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date), (ii) to the extent that the recipient is under an obligation (whether pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property, (iii) if the recipient elects to have the dividend income treated as investment income for purposes of the limitation on deductibility of investment interest, or (iv) if the dividend is received from a foreign corporation that is (a) not eligible for the benefits of a comprehensive income tax treaty with the United States (with the exception of dividends paid on stock of such a foreign corporation readily tradable on an established securities market in the United States) or (b) treated as a PFIC. Distributions received by a Fund from REITs generally will not constitute qualified dividend income.
In general, distributions of investment income reported by a Fund as derived from qualified dividend income will be treated as qualified dividend income by a shareholder taxed as an individual provided the shareholder meets the holding period and other requirements described above with respect to the Funds shares. If the aggregate qualified dividend income received by a Fund during any taxable year is 95% or more of its gross income, then 100% of the Funds dividends (other than Capital Gain Dividends) will be eligible to be treated as qualified dividend income. For this purpose, the only capital gain included in the term gross income is the excess of net short-term capital gain over net long-term capital loss.
A portion of the dividends paid by the Funds to shareholders that are corporations (other than S corporations) may be eligible for the dividends-received deduction (subject to a holding period requirement imposed by the Code) to the extent such dividends are derived from dividends received from U.S. corporations. However, any distributions received by a Fund from REITs or PFICs will not qualify for the corporate dividends-received deduction. A dividend received by a Fund will not be treated as a dividend eligible for the dividends-received deduction (i) if it has been received with respect to any share of stock that the Fund has held for less than 46 days (91 days in the case of certain preferred stock) during the 91-day period beginning on the date which is 45 days before the date on which such share becomes ex-dividend with respect to such dividend (during the 181-day period beginning 90 days before such date in the case of certain preferred stock) or (ii) to the extent that the Fund is under an obligation (pursuant to a short sale or otherwise) to make related payments with respect to positions in substantially similar or related property. Moreover, the dividends-received deduction may otherwise be disallowed or reduced (i) if the corporate shareholder fails to satisfy the foregoing requirements with respect to its shares of the Fund or (ii) by application of various provisions of the Code (for instance, the dividends-received deduction is reduced in the case of a dividend received on debt-financed portfolio stock (generally, stock acquired with borrowed funds)).
The ultimate tax characterization of a Funds distributions made in a taxable year cannot be determined until after the end of that taxable year. As a result, there is a possibility that a Fund may make total distributions during a taxable year in an amount that exceeds the net investment income and net capital gains the Fund realizes that year, in which case the excess generally will be treated as a return of capital to shareholders. A return of capital reduces a shareholders tax basis in such Funds shares, with any amounts exceeding such basis treated as gain from the sale of such shares. A return of capital is not taxable, but it reduces a shareholders tax basis in its Fund shares, thus reducing any loss or increasing any gain on the subsequent taxable disposition by a shareholder of those shares.
As required by federal law, detailed federal tax information with respect to each calendar year will be furnished to each shareholder early in the succeeding year.
79
Sale, Exchange or Redemption of Shares
The sale, exchange, or redemption of shares of a Fund may give rise to a gain or loss. In general, any gain or loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of a Fund will be treated as long-term capital gain or loss if the shares have been held for more than 12 months. Otherwise, the gain or loss on the taxable disposition of Fund shares will be treated as short-term capital gain or loss. However, any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of Fund shares held by a shareholder for six months or less will be treated as long-term, rather than short-term, to the extent of any Capital Gain Dividends received (or deemed received) by the shareholder with respect to those shares. Further, all or a portion of any loss realized upon a taxable disposition of shares of a Fund will be disallowed under the Codes wash sale rule if other substantially identical shares of such Fund are purchased within 30 days before or after the disposition. In such a case, the basis of the newly purchased shares will be adjusted to reflect the disallowed loss.
Upon the sale, exchange or redemption of shares of a Fund, the Fund, or in the case of shares purchased through a financial intermediary, the financial intermediary, may be required to provide a shareholder and the IRS with cost basis and certain other related tax information about the Fund shares the shareholder sold, exchanged or redeemed. See the Funds Prospectus for more information.
Backup Withholding
Each Fund generally is required to withhold and remit to the U.S. Treasury a percentage of the taxable distributions and redemption proceeds paid to any individual shareholder who fails to properly furnish the Fund with a correct taxpayer identification number, who has under-reported dividend or interest income, or who fails to certify to such Fund that he or she is not subject to such withholding.
Backup withholding is not an additional tax. Any amounts withheld may be credited against a shareholders U.S. federal income tax liability, provided the appropriate information is furnished to the IRS.
Tax-Exempt Shareholders
Income of a regulated investment company, such as a Fund, that would be UBTI if earned directly by a tax-exempt entity will not generally be attributed as UBTI to a tax-exempt shareholder of the Fund. Notwithstanding this blocking effect, a tax-exempt shareholder could realize UBTI by virtue of its investment in a Fund if shares in the Fund constitute debt-financed property in the hands of the tax-exempt shareholder within the meaning of Section 514(b) of the Code. A tax-exempt shareholder may also recognize UBTI if a Fund recognizes excess inclusion income derived from direct or indirect investments in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs, as described above, if the amount of such income recognized by the Fund exceeds the Funds investment company taxable income (after taking into account deductions for dividends paid by the Fund).
In addition, special tax consequences apply to charitable remainder trusts (CRTs) that invest in regulated investment companies that invest directly or indirectly in residual interests in REMICs or equity interests in TMPs. Under legislation enacted in December 2006, a CRT (as defined in Section 664 of the Code) that realizes UBTI for a taxable year must pay an excise tax annually of an amount equal to such UBTI. Under IRS guidance issued in October of 2006, a CRT will not recognize UBTI as a result of investing in a Fund that recognizes excess inclusion income. Rather, if at any time during any taxable year a CRT (or one of certain other tax-exempt shareholders, such as the United States, a state or political subdivision or an agency or instrumentality thereof, and certain energy cooperatives) is a record holder of a share in a Fund that recognizes excess inclusion income, then the Fund will be subject to a tax on that portion of its excess inclusion income for the taxable year that is allocable to such shareholders at the
80
highest federal corporate income tax rate. The extent to which this IRS guidance remains applicable in light of the December 2006 legislation is unclear. To the extent permitted under the 1940 Act, a Fund may elect to specially allocate any such tax to the applicable CRT, or other disqualified organization shareholder, and thus reduce such shareholders distributions for the year by the amount of the tax that relates to such shareholders interest in the Fund. CRTs and other tax-exempt investors are urged to consult their tax advisors concerning the consequences of investing in a Fund.
Special tax rules apply to investments through defined contribution plans and other tax-qualified plans. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the suitability of shares of a Fund as an investment through such plans.
Foreign Shareholders
Distributions by a Fund to shareholders that are not U.S. persons within the meaning of the Code (foreign shareholders) properly reported by the Fund as (1) Capital Gain Dividends, (2) short-term capital gain dividends, and (3) interest-related dividends, each as defined and subject to certain conditions described below, generally are not subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax.
In general, the Code defines (1) short-term capital gain dividends as distributions of net short-term capital gains in excess of net long-term capital losses and (2) interest-related dividends as distributions from U.S.-source interest income of types similar to those not subject to U.S. federal income tax if earned directly by an individual foreign shareholder, in each case to the extent such distributions are properly reported as such by a Fund in a written notice to shareholders. The exceptions to withholding for Capital Gain Dividends and short-term capital gain dividends do not apply to (A) distributions to an individual foreign shareholder who is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the distribution and (B) distributions attributable to gain that is treated as effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States under special rules regarding the disposition of U.S. real property interests as described below. The exception to withholding for interest-related dividends does not apply to distributions to a foreign shareholder (A) that has not provided a satisfactory statement that the beneficial owner is not a U.S. person, (B) to the extent that the dividend is attributable to certain interest on an obligation if the foreign shareholder is the issuer or is a 10% shareholder of the issuer, (C) that is within certain foreign countries that have inadequate information exchange with the United States, or (D) to the extent the dividend is attributable to interest paid by a person that is a related person of the foreign shareholder and the foreign shareholder is a controlled foreign corporation. If a Fund invests in a regulated investment company that pays Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends or interest-related dividends to the Fund, such distributions retain their character as not subject to withholding if properly reported when paid by the Fund to foreign shareholders. A Fund is permitted to report such part of its dividends as interest-related and/or short-term capital gain dividends as are eligible, but is not required to do so. In the case of shares held through an intermediary, the intermediary may withhold even if a Fund reports all or a portion of a payment as an interest-related or short-term capital gain dividend to shareholders.
Distributions by a Fund to foreign shareholders other than Capital Gain Dividends, short-term capital gain dividends and interest-related dividends (e.g. dividends attributable to foreign-source dividend and interest income or to short-term capital gains or U.S. source interest income to which the exception from withholding described above does not apply) are generally subject to withholding of U.S. federal income tax at a rate of 30% (or lower applicable treaty rate).
Foreign shareholders should contact their intermediaries regarding the application of these rules to their accounts.
81
A foreign shareholder is not, in general, subject to U.S. federal income tax on gains (and is not allowed a deduction for losses) realized on the sale of shares of a Fund unless (i) such gain is effectively connected with the conduct by the foreign shareholder of a trade or business within the United States, (ii) in the case of a foreign shareholder that is an individual, the shareholder is present in the United States for a period or periods aggregating 183 days or more during the year of the sale and certain other conditions are met, or (iii) the special rules relating to gain attributable to the sale or exchange of U.S. real property interests (USRPIs) apply to the foreign shareholders sale of shares of the Fund (as described below).
Special rules would apply if a Fund were a qualified investment entity (QIE) because it is either a U.S. real property holding corporation (USRPHC) or would be a USRPHC but for the operation of certain exceptions to the definition of USRPIs described below. Very generally, a USRPHC is a domestic corporation that holds USRPIs the fair market value of which equals or exceeds 50% of the sum of the fair market values of the corporations USRPIs, interests in real property located outside the United States, and other trade or business assets. USRPIs are generally defined as any interest in U.S. real property and any interest (other than solely as a creditor) in a USRPHC or, very generally, an entity that has been a USRPHC in the last five years. If a Fund were to hold, directly or indirectly, significant interests in REITs, then it may be a USRPHC. Interests in domestically controlled QIEs, including REITs and regulated investment companies that are QIEs, not-greater-than-10% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in REITs and not-greater-than-5% interests in publicly traded classes of stock in regulated investment companies generally are not USRPIs, but these exceptions do not apply for purposes of determining whether a Fund is a QIE. If an interest in a Fund were a USRPI, the Fund would be required to withhold U.S. tax on the proceeds of a share redemption by a greater-than-5% foreign shareholder, in which case such foreign shareholder generally would also be required to file U.S. tax returns and pay any additional taxes due in connection with the redemption.
If a Fund were a QIE, under a special look through rule, any distributions by the Fund to a foreign shareholder (including, in certain cases, distributions made by the Fund in redemption of its shares) attributable directly or indirectly to (i) distributions received by the Fund from a lower-tier regulated investment company or REIT that the Fund is required to treat as USRPI gain in its hands and (ii) gains realized on the disposition of USRPIs by the Fund would retain their character as gains realized from USRPIs in the hands of the Funds foreign shareholders and would be subject to U.S. tax withholding. In addition, such distributions could result in the foreign shareholder being required to file a U.S. tax return and pay tax on the distributions at regular U.S. federal income tax rates. The consequences to a foreign shareholder, including the rate of such withholding and character of such distributions (e.g., as ordinary income or USRPI gain), would vary depending upon the extent of the foreign shareholders current and past ownership of a Fund.
Foreign shareholders of a Fund also may be subject to wash sale rules to prevent the avoidance of the tax-filing and -payment obligations discussed above through the sale and repurchase of Fund shares.
Each Fund generally does not expect that it will be a QIE.
Foreign shareholders should consult their tax advisors and, if holding shares through intermediaries, their intermediaries, concerning the application of these rules to their investment in a Fund.
Foreign shareholders with respect to whom income from a Fund is effectively connected with a trade or business conducted by the foreign shareholder within the United States will in general be subject to U.S. federal income tax on the income derived from the Fund at the graduated rates applicable to U.S. citizens, residents or domestic corporations, whether such income is received in cash or reinvested in
82
shares of the Fund and, in the case of a foreign corporation, may also be subject to a branch profits tax. If a foreign shareholder is eligible for the benefits of a tax treaty, any effectively connected income or gain will generally be subject to U.S. federal income tax on a net basis only if it is also attributable to a permanent establishment maintained by the shareholder in the United States. More generally, foreign shareholders who are residents in a country with an income tax treaty with the United States may obtain different tax results than those described herein, and are urged to consult their tax advisors.
Tax Shelter Reporting Regulations
Under Treasury regulations, if a shareholder recognizes a loss on disposition of a Funds shares of $2 million or more for an individual shareholder or $10 million or more for a corporate shareholder, the shareholder must file with the IRS a disclosure statement on IRS Form 8886. Direct shareholders of portfolio securities are in many cases excepted from this reporting requirement, but under current guidance, shareholders of a regulated investment company are not excepted. Future guidance may extend the current exception from this reporting requirement to shareholders of most or all regulated investment companies. The fact that a loss is reportable under these regulations does not affect the legal determination of whether the taxpayers treatment of the loss is proper. Shareholders should consult their tax advisors to determine the applicability of these regulations in light of their individual circumstances.
Shareholder Reporting Obligations With Respect to Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts
Shareholders that are U.S. persons and own, directly or indirectly, more than 50% of a Fund by vote or value could be required to report annually their financial interest in the Funds foreign financial accounts, if any, on FinCEN Form 114, Report of Foreign Bank and Financial Accounts (FBAR). Shareholders should consult a tax advisor regarding the applicability to them of this reporting requirement.
Other Reporting and Withholding Requirements
Sections 14711474 of the Code and the U.S. Treasury regulations and IRS guidance issued thereunder (collectively, FATCA) generally require a Fund to obtain information sufficient to identify the status of each of its shareholders under FATCA or under an applicable intergovernmental agreement (an IGA) between the United States and a foreign government. If a shareholder of a Fund fails to provide the requested information or otherwise fails to comply with FATCA or an IGA, the Fund may be required to withhold under FATCA at a rate of 30% with respect to that shareholder on ordinary dividends it pays. The IRS and the Department of Treasury have issued proposed regulations providing that these withholding rules will not apply to the gross proceeds of share redemptions or Capital Gain Dividends a Fund pays. If a payment by a Fund is subject to FATCA withholding, the Fund is required to withhold even if such payment would otherwise be exempt from withholding under the rules applicable to foreign shareholders described above (e.g., short-term capital gain dividends, and interest-related dividends).
Prospective investors are urged to consult their tax advisors regarding the applicability of FATCA and any other reporting requirements with respect to the prospective investors own situation, including investments through an intermediary.
State and Local Taxes
Each Fund is a series of a Massachusetts business trust. Under current law, neither the Trust nor any of the Funds is liable for any income or franchise tax in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts, provided that each Fund continues to qualify as a regulated investment company under Subchapter M of the Code. However, each Fund may be subject to state and/or local taxes in other jurisdictions in which
83
such Fund is deemed to be doing business. In addition, the treatment of each Fund and its shareholders in those states which have income tax laws might differ from treatment under the U.S. federal income tax laws. Shareholders should consult with their own tax advisors concerning the state and local tax consequences of investing in the Funds.
EACH SHAREHOLDER SHOULD CONSULT A TAX ADVISOR ABOUT THE APPLICATION OF FEDERAL, STATE, LOCAL AND FOREIGN TAX LAWS TO AN INVESTMENT IN A FUND IN LIGHT OF THE SHAREHOLDERS PARTICULAR TAX SITUATION.
Massachusetts Business Trust
Each Fund is a series of a Massachusetts business trust. A copy of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust for the Trust (the Declaration of Trust) is on file in the office of the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts. The Declaration of Trust and the By-Laws of the Trust (the By-Laws) are designed to make the Trust similar in most respects to a Massachusetts business corporation. The principal distinction between the two forms concerns shareholder liability and is described below.
Under Massachusetts law, shareholders of such a trust may, under certain circumstances, be held personally liable as partners for the obligations of the trust. This is not the case for a Massachusetts business corporation. However, the Declaration of Trust of the Trust provides that the shareholders shall not be subject to any personal liability for the acts or obligations of a Fund and that every note, bond, contract, instrument, certificate or undertaking made on behalf of a Fund shall contain a provision to the effect that the shareholders are not personally liable thereunder.
No personal liability will attach to the shareholders under any undertaking containing such provision when adequate notice of such provision is given, except possibly in a few jurisdictions. With respect to all types of claims in the latter jurisdictions, (i) tort claims, (ii) contract claims where the provision referred to is omitted from the undertaking, (iii) claims for taxes, and (iv) certain statutory liabilities in other jurisdictions, a shareholder may be held personally liable to the extent that claims are not satisfied by a Fund. However, upon payment of such liability, the shareholder will be entitled to reimbursement from the assets of the Fund. The Trustees of the Trust intend to conduct the operations of the Trust in a way as to avoid, as far as possible, ultimate liability of the shareholders of the Funds.
The Declaration of Trust further provides that no Trustee, officer, employee, agent or shareholder of the Funds is liable to any third persons in connection with the affairs of the Funds. Nothing in the Declaration of Trust shall protect any Trustee from any liability that arises from his own bad faith, willful misfeasance, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of the office of the Trustee. The Declaration of Trust also provides that all third persons shall look solely to the assets of the Funds for any satisfaction of claims arising in connection with the affairs of the Funds. With the exceptions stated and except with respect to any matter as to which a Trustee or officer, including a person who serves at the Trusts request as a director, officer or trustee of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (each such Trustee, officer or person hereinafter referred to as a Covered Person) shall have been finally adjudicated in a decision on the merits in any action, suit or other proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Persons action was in the best interests of the Trust, the Trusts Declaration of Trust provides that a Covered Person is entitled to be indemnified against all liability in connection with the affairs of the Funds.
84
The Trust shall continue without limitation of time subject to the provisions in the Declaration of Trust concerning termination by action of the shareholders or by action of the Trustees upon notice to the shareholders.
Description of Shares
The Trust is an open-end management investment company organized as a Massachusetts business trust in which the Funds each represent a separate series of shares of beneficial interest. See Massachusetts Business Trust above. The Trustees may, without shareholder approval, divide the shares of any series of the Trust into one or more classes and combine the shares of two or more classes of any series into a single class. The Trustees have authorized the issuance of three classes of shares of each of AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund and AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity FundClass I, Class N and Class Z.
The Declaration of Trust permits the Trustees to issue an unlimited number of full and fractional shares (without par value) of one or more series and to divide or combine the shares of any series or class, if applicable, into a greater or lesser number without changing the proportionate beneficial interest in the series or class. Each share of each Fund represents an equal proportionate interest in such Fund with each other share. Upon liquidation of a Fund, shareholders are entitled to share pro rata in the net assets of the Fund available for distribution to such shareholders. See Massachusetts Business Trust above. Shares of the Funds have no preemptive or conversion rights. The rights of redemption and exchange are described in the Prospectus and in this SAI.
The shareholders of the Trust are entitled to one vote for each whole share held of a Fund (or a class thereof) (or a proportionate fractional vote in respect of a fractional share), on matters on which shares of the Fund (or a class thereof) shall be entitled to vote.
Subject to the 1940 Act, the Trustees themselves have the power to alter the number and the terms of office of the Trustees, and to set the length of their own terms subject to certain removal procedures, and appoint their own successors, provided however, that immediately after such appointment the requisite majority of the Trustees have been elected by the shareholders of the Trust. The voting rights of shareholders are not cumulative in the election of Trustees so that holders of more than 50% of the shares voting can, if they choose, elect all Trustees being selected while the shareholders of the remaining shares would be unable to elect any Trustees. It is the intention of the Trust not to hold annual meetings of shareholders. The Trustees may call meetings of shareholders for action by shareholder vote as may be required or permitted by either the 1940 Act or by the Trusts Declaration of Trust.
The Trustees have authorized the issuance and sale to the public of shares of several series of the Trust. The Trustees may authorize the issuance of shares of additional series of the Trust. The proceeds from the issuance of any additional series would be invested in separate, independently managed portfolios with distinct investment objectives, policies and restrictions, and share purchase, redemption and NAV procedures. All consideration received by the Trust for shares of any additional series, and all assets in which such consideration is invested, would belong to that series, subject only to the rights of creditors of the Trust and would be subject to the liabilities related thereto. Shareholders of any additional series will approve the adoption of any management contract, distribution agreement and any changes in the investment policies of any such additional series, to the extent required by the 1940 Act.
Conduct of the Trusts Business
Forum for Adjudication of Disputes. The By-Laws provide that unless the Trust consents in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the sole and exclusive forum for (i) any action or proceeding brought on behalf of the Trust or the shareholders, (ii) any action asserting a claim of breach
85
of a fiduciary duty owed by any Trustee, officer, or other agent of the Trust to the Trust or the Trusts shareholders, (iii) any action asserting a claim arising pursuant to any provision of the Massachusetts Business Corporation Act or the Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, (iv) any action to interpret, apply, enforce or determine the validity of the Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws or any agreement contemplated by any provision of the 1940 Act, the Declaration of Trust or the By-Laws, or (v) any action asserting a claim governed by the internal affairs doctrine shall be within the federal or state courts in the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (each, a Covered Action). The By-Laws further provide that if any Covered Action is filed in a court other than in a federal or state court sitting within the Commonwealth of Massachusetts (a Foreign Action) in the name of any shareholder, such shareholder shall be deemed to have consented to (i) the personal jurisdiction of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts in connection with any action brought in any such courts to enforce the preceding sentence (an Enforcement Action) and (ii) having service of process made upon such shareholder in any such Enforcement Action by service upon such shareholders counsel in the Foreign Action as agent for such shareholder.
Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of beneficial interest of the Trust will be (i) deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing paragraph and (ii) deemed to have waived any argument relating to the inconvenience of the forum referenced above in connection with any action or proceeding described in the foregoing paragraph.
This forum selection provision may limit a shareholders ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum that it finds favorable for disputes with Trustees, officers or other agents of the Trust and its service providers, which may discourage such lawsuits with respect to such claims. If a court were to find the forum selection provision contained in the By-Laws to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, the Trust may incur additional costs associated with resolving such action in other jurisdictions.
Derivative and Direct Claims of Shareholders. The By-Laws contain provisions regarding derivative and direct claims of shareholders. As used in the By-Laws, a direct shareholder claim refers to (i) a claim based upon alleged violations of a shareholders individual rights independent of any harm to the Trust, including a shareholders voting rights under Article 11 of the By-Laws, rights to receive a dividend payment as may be declared from time to time, rights to inspect books and records, or other similar rights personal to the shareholder and independent of any harm to the Trust; and (ii) a claim for which a direct shareholder action is expressly provided under the U.S. federal securities laws. Any other claim asserted by a shareholder, including without limitation any claims purporting to be brought on behalf of the Trust or involving any alleged harm to the Trust, are considered a derivative claim as used in the By-Laws.
A shareholder may not bring or maintain any court action or other proceeding asserting a derivative claim or any claim asserted on behalf or for the benefit of the Trust or involving any alleged harm to the Trust without first making demand on the Trustees requesting the Trustees to bring or maintain such action, proceeding or claim. Such demand shall not be excused under any circumstances, including claims of alleged interest on the part of the Trustees, unless the shareholder makes a specific showing that irreparable nonmonetary injury to the Trust would otherwise result. The Trustees shall consider such demand within 90 days of its receipt by the Trust. In their sole discretion, the Trustees may submit the matter to a vote of shareholders of the Trust or any series or class of shares, as appropriate. Any decision by the Trustees to bring, maintain or settle (or not to bring, maintain or settle) such court action, proceeding or claim, or to submit the matter to a vote of shareholders, shall be binding upon the shareholders, and no suit, proceeding or other action shall be commenced or maintained after a decision to reject a demand. Any Trustee acting in connection with any demand or any proceeding relating to a claim on behalf or for the benefit of the Trust who is not an interested person (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act) will be deemed to be independent and disinterested with respect to such demand, proceeding or claim.
86
A shareholder may not bring or maintain a court action or other proceeding asserting a direct claim against the Trust, the Trustees, or officers predicated upon an express or implied right of action under the Declaration of Trust or U.S. federal securities laws (excepting direct shareholder actions expressly provided by U.S. federal securities laws), unless the shareholder has obtained authorization from the Trustees to bring the action. The requirement of authorization shall not be excused under any circumstances, including claims of alleged interest on the part of the Trustees. The Trustees shall consider such request within 90 days after its receipt by the Trust. In their sole discretion, the Trustees may submit the matter to a vote of shareholders of the Trust or of any series or class of shares, as appropriate. Any decision by the Trustees to settle or to authorize (or not to settle or to authorize) such court action, proceeding or claim, or to submit the matter to a vote of shareholders, shall be binding upon the shareholder seeking authorization.
Any person purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in shares of beneficial interest of the Trust will be deemed to have notice of and consented to the foregoing provisions. These provisions may limit a shareholders ability to bring a claim against the Trustees, officers or other agents of the Trust and its service providers, which may discourage such lawsuits with respect to such claims.
Additional Information
This SAI and the Funds Prospectus do not contain all of the information included in the Trusts Registration Statement filed with the SEC under the 1933 Act. Pursuant to the rules and regulations of the SEC, certain portions have been omitted. The Trusts Registration Statement, including the Exhibits filed therewith, may be examined on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
Statements contained in this SAI and the Funds Prospectus concerning the contents of any contract or other document are not necessarily complete, and in each instance, reference is made to the copy of such contract or other document filed as an Exhibit to the Trusts Registration Statement. Each such statement is qualified in all respects by such reference.
No dealer, salesman or any other person has been authorized to give any information or to make any representations, other than those contained in the Funds Prospectus or this SAI, in connection with the offer of shares of the Funds and, if given or made, such other representations or information must not be relied upon as having been authorized by the Trust, the Funds or the Distributor. The Funds Prospectus and this SAI do not constitute an offer to sell or solicit an offer to buy any of the securities offered thereby in any jurisdiction to any person to whom it is unlawful for the Funds or the Distributor to make such offer in such jurisdictions.
The Funds audited financial statements for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 and the related Notes to the Financial Statements for the Funds, as well as the Report of Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP, from the Funds Annual Report for the fiscal year ended October 31, 2019 are incorporated by reference into this SAI (meaning such documents are legally a part of this SAI) and are on file with the SEC. The Funds Annual and Semi-Annual Reports are available without charge, upon request, by calling the Funds at (800) 548-4539 or by visiting the Funds website at www.amgfunds.com or on the SECs website at www.sec.gov.
87
GW&K INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC
PROXY VOTING POLICIES AND PROCEDURES
December 2019
INTRODUCTION
As a SEC-registered investment adviser and fiduciary to its clients, GW&K has implemented its Proxy Voting Policy to establish internal controls and procedures governing the firms review and voting of proxies on behalf of client accounts. To assist in the process, GW&K leverages recognized third party service providers to facilitate the firms proxy voting process.
I. Proxy Guidelines and Proxy Voting Agent
GW&K has adopted proxy voting guidelines developed by Glass Lewis & Co. (Glass Lewis), an independent third-party service provider, which provides recommendations on ballot items for securities held in client accounts. Proxies are voted on behalf of GW&Ks clients (who have delegated proxy voting authority) in accordance with those guidelines. GW&K reserves the right to cast votes contrary to Glass Lewis guidelines if it deems it necessary and in the best interest of its clients.
GW&K has contracted with Broadridge Financial Solutions (Broadridge), an independent third party service provider, to act as proxy voting agent and to provide proxy voting services, including:
1) |
Conduct in-depth proxy research; |
2) |
Process and vote proxies in connection with securities held by GW&Ks clients; |
3) |
Maintain appropriate records of proxy statements, research, and recommendations; |
4) |
Maintain appropriate records of proxy votes cast on behalf of GW&Ks clients; |
5) |
Complete other proxy related administrative functions. |
II. Responsibility and Oversight
GW&K is responsible for maintaining and administering these policies and procedures. GW&K will:
1) |
Annually review the adequacy of these policies and procedures as well as the effectiveness of its proxy voting agent; |
2) |
Annually review Glass Lewiss proxy voting guidelines to ensure they are appropriately designed to meet the best interests of GW&K clients; |
3) |
Provide clients, upon written request, these proxy voting policy and procedures, and information about how proxies were voted on their behalf; |
4) |
Conduct regular reconciliations with clients custodian banks to confirm the appropriate number of votes cast on behalf of clients when GW&K has been delegated proxy voting authority; |
5) |
Conduct a periodic review, no less often than annually, of proxy voting records to ensure that proxies are voted in accordance with adopted guidelines; and |
6) |
Annually review proxy voting records to ensure that records of proxy statements, research, recommendations, and proxy votes are properly maintained by its proxy voting agent. |
III. Conflicts of Interest
In adopting Glass Lewiss proxy voting guidelines, GW&K seeks to remove potential conflicts of interest that could otherwise potentially influence the proxy voting process. In situations where Broadridge and/or Glass Lewis has a potential conflict of interest with respect to a proxy it is overseeing on behalf of GW&Ks clients, Broadridge and/or Glass Lewis is obligated to fully or partially abstain from voting the ballot as applicable and notify GW&K. GW&Ks Proxy Committee will provide the voting recommendation after discussion with applicable GW&K Portfolio Managers and a review of the measures involved. Similarly, in instances where GW&K
A-1
becomes aware of a potential conflict of interest pertaining to a proxy vote for a security held in the clients account, or where a client otherwise makes a request pertaining a specific proxy vote, GW&Ks Portfolio Management will provide the voting recommendation after reviewing relevant facts and circumstances.
Voting of Measures Outside of or Contrary to Glass Lewis & Co. Recommendations
In instances when a proxy ballot item does not fall within the Glass Lewis guidelines or where GW&K determines that voting in accordance with the Glass Lewis recommendation is not advisable or consistent with GW&Ks fiduciary duty, GW&Ks portfolio managers, with the support of GW&Ks Legal & Compliance team and other personnel, will review the relevant facts and circumstances and determine how to vote the particular proxy ballot item.
IV. Disclosure
Clients may obtain Glass Lewiss proxy voting guidelines or information about how GW&K voted proxies for securities held in their account by submitting a written request to:
Proxy Policy Administrator
GW&K Investment Management
222 Berkeley Street, 15th Floor
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
V. Recordkeeping
GW&K will maintain the following records in accordance with regulatory requirements:
1) |
These policies and procedures (including any applicable amendments) which shall be made available to clients upon request; |
2) |
Proxy statements, research, recommendations, and records of each vote; |
3) |
Client written requests for proxy voting information and applicable responses by GW&K. |
VI. Oversight and Documentation
Proxy Committee
GW&K has established a Proxy Voting Committee to oversee the firms proxy voting process, including the firms Proxy Voting Policy, the firms service providers and the proxy voting guidelines. In addition, the Committee would address any potential conflicts of interest that are identified by GW&K with respect to voting any specific proxy ballot item. The Committee is comprised of GW&Ks Chief Compliance Officer, General Counsel, managers of GW&Ks Investment Operations and Client Services Departments, members of the Legal & Compliance Team, as well as certain GW&K Portfolio Managers. The Committee meets annually, and more frequently as needed.
GW&Ks Legal & Compliance Department is responsible for periodically assessing firm compliance with this policy and the effectiveness of its implementation.
A-2
FORM N-1A
PART C. OTHER INFORMATION
To the Registration Statement of AMG Funds (formerly Managers AMG Funds)
(the Registrant or the Trust)
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
a.1 | Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated December 13, 2013. (xlvii) | |
a.2 | Amendment No. 1 to Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated March 21, 2014. (l) | |
b. | By-Laws of the Trust. (lxiii) | |
c. | (i) Articles III and V, Sections 2, 4 and 5 of Article VIII, and Sections 1, 4, 5 and 8 of Article IX of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust dated December 13, 2013, incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit a.1; and (ii) Articles 10, 11, 12 and 13 of the By-Laws of the Trust, incorporated by reference herein as Exhibit b. | |
d.1 | Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC (formerly Managers Investment Group LLC, which was formerly The Managers Funds LLC), dated as of October 19, 1999. (ii) | |
d.2 | Amendment No. 1 to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC, dated as of July 1, 2015. (lxii) | |
d.3 | Form of Amendment No. 2 to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC, dated as of October 1, 2016. (lxvii) | |
d.4 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Small Cap Core Fund, AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund and AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund (formerly AMG GW&K Small Cap Growth Fund). (lxxi) | |
d.5 | Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Small Cap Growth Fund (formerly TimesSquare Small Cap Growth Fund). (xlii) | |
d.6 | Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Mid Cap Growth Fund (formerly TimesSquare Mid Cap Growth Fund). (xlii) | |
d.7 | Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to each of AMG TimesSquare Mid Cap Growth Fund and AMG TimesSquare Small Cap Growth Fund. (lxxiv) | |
d.8 | Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC with respect to each of AMG TimesSquare Small Cap Growth Fund and AMG TimesSquare Mid Cap Growth Fund. (xi) | |
d.9 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Small Cap Growth Fund. (lxxi) | |
d.10 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Mid Cap Growth Fund. (lxxi) |
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
d.11 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Mid Cap Growth Fund. (lxxiv) | |
d.12 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Small Cap Growth Fund. (lxxiv) | |
d.13 | Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to the AMG Managers Skyline Special Equities Fund (formerly Skyline Special Equities Portfolio) is incorporated by reference to an exhibit to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-14, Registration No. 333-146198 (filed September 20, 2007). | |
d.14 | Sub-Advisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and Skyline Asset Management, L.P. with respect to the AMG Managers Skyline Special Equities Fund dated January 23, 2009. (xxvi) | |
d.15 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC relating to the AMG GW&K Small Cap Core Fund (formerly GW&K Small Cap Equity Fund) and AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund (formerly GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund) is incorporated by reference to an exhibit to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-14, Registration No. 333-152716 (filed August 1, 2008). | |
d.16 | Form of Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC (formerly Gannett Welsh & Kotler, LLC) relating to the AMG GW&K Small Cap Core Fund and AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund is incorporated by reference to an exhibit to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-14, Registration No. 333-152716 (filed August 1, 2008). | |
d.17 | Form of Letter Agreement to Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Small Cap Core Fund and AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund. (lxxi) | |
d.18 | Form of Letter Agreement to Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Small Cap Core Fund and AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund. (lxxi) | |
d.19 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to the AMG GW&K Municipal Bond Fund (formerly GW&K Municipal Bond Fund) and the AMG Renaissance Large Cap Growth Fund (formerly Renaissance Large Cap Growth Fund). (xxviii) | |
d.20 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Renaissance Large Cap Growth Fund. (lxxii) | |
d.21 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to the AMG GW&K Municipal Bond Fund. (xxviii) | |
d.22 | Form of Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and The Renaissance Group LLC with respect to the AMG Renaissance Large Cap Growth Fund. (xxviii) | |
d.23 | Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund (formerly AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund, which was formerly AMG Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund, which was formerly Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund). (xxxi) | |
d.24 | Interim Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund. (lxxix) |
2
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
d.25 | Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund. (filed herewith) | |
d.26 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund (formerly Yacktman Focused Fund) and AMG Yacktman Fund (formerly Yacktman Fund). (xxxvi) | |
d.27 | Form of Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and Yacktman Asset Management LP with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund and AMG Yacktman Fund. (xxxvi) | |
d.28 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and Yacktman Asset Management LP with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund and AMG Yacktman Fund. (lxxii) | |
d.29 | Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare International Small Cap Fund (formerly TimesSquare International Small Cap Fund). (xlii) | |
d.30 | Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare International Small Cap Fund. (xlii) | |
d.31 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare International Small Cap Fund. (lxxi) | |
d.32 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG SouthernSun Small Cap Fund and AMG SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund. (xlvii) | |
d.33 | Form of Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC with respect to AMG SouthernSun Small Cap Fund and AMG SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund. (xlvii) | |
d.34 | Form of Letter Agreement to Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC with respect to AMG SouthernSun Small Cap Fund and AMG SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund. (lxix) | |
d.35 | Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Yacktman Special Opportunities Fund. (liii) | |
d.36 | Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and Yacktman Asset Management LP with respect to AMG Yacktman Special Opportunities Fund. (liii) | |
d.37 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and Yacktman Asset Management LP with respect to AMG Yacktman Special Opportunities Fund. (lxxii) | |
d.38 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund (formerly AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Wealth Equity Fund, which was formerly AMG Trilogy Emerging Wealth Equity Fund). (lviii) | |
d.39 | Interim Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund. (lxxix) | |
d.40 | Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund. (filed herewith) | |
d.41 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund. (lxi) |
3
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
d.42 | Form of Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund. (lxi) | |
d.43 | Form of Letter Agreement to Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund. (lxxi) | |
d.44 | Form of Letter Agreement to Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund. (lxxi) | |
d.45 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund. (lxviii) | |
d.46 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund. (lxviii) | |
d.47 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund Security Selection Only. (lxx) | |
d.48 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and Yacktman Asset Management LP with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund Security Selection Only. (lxx) | |
d.49 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Investment Management Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Global Small Cap Fund. (lxxv) | |
d.50 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Global Small Cap Fund. (lxxv) | |
e.1 | Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between AMG Distributors, Inc. and the Registrant, on behalf of each of its series, dated September 17, 2015. (lxii) | |
e.2 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between AMG Distributors, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to AMG TimesSquare Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund. (lxviii) | |
e.3 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between AMG Distributors, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund Security Selection Only. (lxx) | |
e.4 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between AMG Distributors, Inc. and the Registrant with respect to AMG TimesSquare Global Small Cap Fund. (lxxv) | |
e.5 | Letter Agreement to the Amended and Restated Distribution Agreement between AMG Distributors, Inc. and the Registrant, on behalf of each of its series. (lxxxi) | |
f. | Not applicable. | |
g.1 | Custody Agreement between the Registrant and The Bank of New York Mellon. (lxvii) | |
g.2 | Foreign Custody Manager Agreement between the Registrant, on behalf of each of its series, and The Bank of New York. (xxxii) | |
g.3 | Interim Custody Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bank, N.A. with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund and AMG Yacktman Fund. (xxxviii) | |
h.1 | Form of Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC, dated October 1, 2016. (lxvii) |
4
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
h.2 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Mid Cap Growth Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.3 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Small Cap Growth Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.4 | Transfer Agency and Shareholder Services Agreement between the Registrant and BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc. (lxvii) | |
h.5 | Form of Expense Limitation Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Managers Skyline Special Equities Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.6 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to the AMG GW&K Small Cap Core Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.7 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to the AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.8 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to the AMG GW&K Municipal Bond Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.9 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to the AMG Renaissance Large Cap Growth Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.10 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund. (filed herewith) | |
h.11 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to Class N shares of AMG Yacktman Focused Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.12 | Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to Service Class shares of AMG Yacktman Fund. (lix) | |
h.13 | Interim Fund Accounting Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund and AMG Yacktman Fund. (xxxviii) | |
h.14 | Interim Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and U.S. Bancorp Fund Services, LLC with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund and AMG Yacktman Fund. (xxxviii) | |
h.15 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare International Small Cap Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.16 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG SouthernSun Small Cap Fund. (lxxviii) | |
h.17 | i. Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund. (lxxviii) | |
ii. Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC with respect to AMG SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund. (xlix) | ||
h.18 | Interim Fund Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC with respect to AMG SouthernSun Small Cap Fund and AMG SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund. (xlix) | |
h.19 | Interim Transfer Agency Services Agreement between the Registrant and Gemini Fund Services, LLC with respect to AMG SouthernSun Small Cap Fund and AMG SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund. (xlix) | |
h.20 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Yacktman Special Opportunities Fund. (lxxx) |
5
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
h.21 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund. (lxxix) | |
h.22 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.23 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.24 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund. (lxviii) | |
h.25 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund Security Selection Only. (lxx) | |
h.26 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund Security Selection Only. (lxxx) | |
h.27 | Form of Letter Agreement to the Amended and Restated Administration Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Global Small Cap Fund. (lxxv) | |
h.28 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG TimesSquare Global Small Cap Fund. (lxxx) | |
h.29 | Form of Advisory and Subadvisory Fee Waiver Agreement among the Registrant, AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund. (filed herewith) | |
i.1 | Opinion and Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP with respect to AMG TimesSquare Mid Cap Growth Fund. (xi) | |
i.2 | Opinion and Consent of Goodwin Procter LLP with respect to AMG TimesSquare Small Cap Growth Fund. (xii) | |
i.3 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to AMG Managers Skyline Special Equities Fund. (xxi) | |
i.4 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the AMG GW&K Small Cap Core Fund and the AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund. (xxv) | |
i.5 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to the AMG GW&K Municipal Bond Fund and the AMG Renaissance Large Cap Growth Fund. (xxviii) | |
i.6 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund. (xxxi) | |
i.7 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund and AMG Yacktman Fund. (xxxviii) | |
i.8 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to AMG TimesSquare International Small Cap Fund. (xlii) | |
i.9 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to AMG SouthernSun Small Cap Fund and AMG SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund. (xlix) | |
i.10 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to AMG Yacktman Special Opportunities Fund. (liii) |
6
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
i.11 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund. (lviii) | |
i.12 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund. (lxi) | |
i.13 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to AMG TimesSquare Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund. (lxviii) | |
i.14 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to AMG Yacktman Focused Fund Security Selection Only. (lxx) | |
i.15 | Opinion and Consent of Ropes & Gray LLP with respect to AMG TimesSquare Global Small Cap Fund. (lxxv) | |
j.1 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. (filed herewith) | |
j.2 | Power of Attorney for the Trustees and Certain Officers of the Registrant. (lxxiv) | |
k. | Not Applicable. | |
l. | Not Applicable. | |
m. | Amended and Restated Plan of Distribution Adopted Pursuant to Rule 12b-1 for Class N shares. (lxxxi) | |
n. | Amended and Restated Multiple Class Expense Allocation Plan adopted pursuant to Rule 18f-3 with respect to AMG GW&K Small Cap Core Fund, AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund, AMG GW&K Municipal Bond Fund, AMG Renaissance Large Cap Growth Fund, AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund, AMG Yacktman Focused Fund, AMG Yacktman Fund, AMG Yacktman Special Opportunities Fund, AMG TimesSquare Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund, AMG TimesSquare Global Small Cap Fund, AMG TimesSquare Small Cap Growth Fund, AMG TimesSquare Mid Cap Growth Fund, AMG TimesSquare International Small Cap Fund, AMG SouthernSun Small Cap Fund, AMG SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund, AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund, AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund and AMG Yacktman Focused Fund Security Selection Only. (lxxx) | |
o. | Not applicable. | |
p.1 | Code of Ethics of AMG Funds. (lxxi) | |
p.2 | Code of Ethics of AMG Funds LLC and AMG Distributors, Inc. (lxxi) | |
p.3 | Code of Ethics of TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC. (lix) | |
p.4 | Code of Ethics of Skyline Asset Management, L.P. (lix) | |
p.5 | Code of Ethics of GW&K Investment Management, LLC. (lxxx) | |
p.6 | Code of Ethics of The Renaissance Group LLC. (lxxiv) | |
p.7 | Code of Ethics of Yacktman Asset Management LP. (lxxiv) | |
p.8 | Code of Ethics of SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC. (xlvii) | |
(i) | Filed as an exhibit to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed August 6, 1999). | |
(ii) | Filed as an exhibit to Pre-Effective Amendment No. 2 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed October 21, 1999). |
7
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
(iii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 5 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed November 14, 2000). | |
(iv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 8 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed February 20, 2001). | |
(v) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 10 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed October 5, 2001). | |
(vi) | Intentionally omitted. | |
(vii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 13 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed January 17, 2002). | |
(viii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 14 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed January 30, 2002), under the same exhibit number. | |
(ix) | Intentionally omitted. | |
(x) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 19 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed January 31, 2003). | |
(xi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 28 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed December 10, 2004). | |
(xii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 29 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed December 23, 2004). | |
(xiii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 32 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed March 1, 2005). | |
(xiv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 40 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed December 29, 2005). | |
(xv) | Intentionally omitted. | |
(xvi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 43 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 28, 2006). | |
(xvii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 47 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed December 20, 2006). | |
(xviii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post-Effective Amendment No. 48 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed February 28, 2007). | |
(xix) | Intentionally omitted. | |
(xx) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 52 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed September 28, 2007). | |
(xxi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 54 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed December 21, 2007). |
8
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
(xxii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 55 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 29, 2008). | |
(xxiii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 56 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 27, 2008). | |
(xxiv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 58 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed September 26, 2008). | |
(xxv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 59 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed October 29, 2008). | |
(xxvi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 61 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 30, 2009). | |
(xxvii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 62 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed May 28, 2009). | |
(xxviii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 63 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 2, 2009). | |
(xxix) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 65 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed July 24, 2009). | |
(xxx) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 68 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 30, 2010). | |
(xxxi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 72 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed February 28, 2011). | |
(xxxii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 74 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 29, 2011). | |
(xxxiii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 76 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 29, 2011). | |
(xxxiv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 78 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed September 28, 2011). | |
(xxxv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 80 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed February 28, 2012). | |
(xxxvi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 83 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 18, 2012). | |
(xxxvii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 84 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 27, 2012). | |
(xxxviii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 86 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 27, 2012). | |
(xxxix) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 92 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed September 28, 2012). | |
(xl) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 93 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed October 1, 2012). |
9
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
(xli) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 96 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed November 30, 2012). | |
(xlii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 98 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed December 31, 2012). | |
(xliii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 100 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed February 28, 2013). | |
(xliv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 102 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 26, 2013). | |
(xlv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 104 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 28, 2013). | |
(xlvi) | Intentionally omitted. | |
(xlvii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 108 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed December 19, 2013). | |
(xlviii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 110 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed February 28, 2014). | |
(xlix) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 113 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed March 31, 2014). | |
(l) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 117 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 28, 2014). | |
(li) | Intentionally omitted. | |
(lii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 122 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 27, 2014). | |
(liii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 123 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 30, 2014). | |
(liv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 129 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed September 29, 2014). | |
(lv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 132 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed December 30, 2014). | |
(lvi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 133 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed December 30, 2014). | |
(lvii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 137 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed February 27, 2015). | |
(lviii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 139 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed March 13, 2015). | |
(lix) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 143 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 30, 2015). |
10
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
(lx) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 145 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 26, 2015). | |
(lxi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 146 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 30, 2015). | |
(lxii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 149 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed September 28, 2015). | |
(lxiii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 151 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed January 28, 2016). | |
(lxiv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 156 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 1, 2016). | |
(lxv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 158 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 29, 2016). | |
(lxvi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 162 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed July 8, 2016). | |
(lxvii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 169 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed September 28, 2016). | |
(lxviii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 174 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed November 29, 2016). | |
(lxix) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 180 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed January 27, 2017) | |
(lxx) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 181 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed January 30, 2017) | |
(lxxi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 184 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed February 24, 2017) | |
(lxxii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 186 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 28, 2017) | |
(lxxiii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 188 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 28, 2017) | |
(lxxiv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 30, 2018) | |
(lxxv) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 200 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed May 15, 2018) | |
(lxxvi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 202 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed June 28, 2018) | |
(lxxvii) | Intentionally omitted. | |
(lxxviii) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 206 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed January 28, 2019) | |
(lxxix) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 208 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed February 28, 2019) | |
(lxxx) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 210 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 30, 2019) |
11
Item 28. |
Exhibits. |
|
Exhibit No |
Description |
|
(lxxxi) | Filed as an exhibit to Post Effective Amendment No. 212 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed September 27, 2019) |
Item 29. Persons Controlled by or Under Common Control with Registrant.
None.
Item 30. Indemnification.
Under Article VIII of the Registrants Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, the Trust shall indemnify each of its Trustees and officers, including persons who serve at the Trusts request as directors, officers or trustees of another organization in which the Trust has any interest as a shareholder, creditor or otherwise (each such Trustee, officer or person hereinafter referred to as a Covered Person), against all liabilities and expenses, including but not limited to amounts paid in satisfaction of judgments, in compromise or as fines and penalties, and counsel fees reasonably incurred by any Covered Person in connection with the defense or disposition of any action, suit or other proceeding, whether civil or criminal, before any court or administrative or legislative body, in which such Covered Person may be or may have been involved as a party or otherwise or with which such Covered Person may be or may have been threatened, while in office or thereafter, by reason of any alleged act or omission as a Covered Person or by reason of his or her being or having been such a Covered Person, except with respect to any matter as to which such Covered Person shall have been finally adjudicated in a decision on the merits in any such action, suit or other proceeding not to have acted in good faith in the reasonable belief that such Covered Persons action was in the best interests of the Trust, and except that no Covered Person shall be indemnified against any liability to the Trust or its shareholders to which such Covered Person would otherwise be subject by reason of willful misfeasance, bad faith, gross negligence or reckless disregard of the duties involved in the conduct of such Covered Persons office.
Insofar as indemnification for liability arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the Act), may be permitted to directors, officers and controlling persons of the Registrant pursuant to the foregoing provisions, or otherwise, the Registrant has been advised that, in the opinion of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the SEC), such indemnification is against public policy as expressed in the Act, and is therefore, unenforceable. In the event that a claim for indemnification against such liabilities (other than the payment by the Registrant of expenses incurred or paid by a trustee, an officer or a controlling person of the Registrant in the successful defense of any action, suit or proceeding) is asserted by such Trustee, Officer or controlling person in connection with the securities being registered, the Registrant will, unless in the opinion of its counsel the matter has been settled by controlling precedent, submit to a court of appropriate jurisdiction the question whether such indemnification by it is against public policy as expressed in the Act and will be governed by the final adjudication of such issue.
Each disinterested Trustee has entered into an indemnity agreement with the Adviser whereby the Adviser Indemnifies each disinterested Trustee against defense costs in connection with a civil claim which involves the Trustee by virtue of his position with the fund. The Registrant will maintain a liability insurance policy or policies under which (i) the disinterested Trustees and/or (ii) the Registrant and its Trustees and officers will be named insureds.
Reference is made to the Distribution Agreement with AMG Distributors, Inc., and any amendments thereto, attached as Exhibits e.1, e.2, e.3, e.4 and e.5 incorporated herein by reference, and discusses the rights, responsibilities and limitations with respect to indemnity and contribution.
Item 31. Business and Other Connections of Investment Adviser.
AMG Funds LLC (formerly Managers Investment Group LLC), a registered investment adviser, serves as investment manager to the Trust. AMG Funds LLC is a subsidiary of Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. (AMG) and AMG serves as its Managing Member. AMG Funds LLC serves as an investment manager to investment companies registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended, and to various separate accounts. AMG Funds
12
LLC also provides non-discretionary back office, trading execution and support, administrative and/or marketing services to affiliated entities in connection with such entities provision of advisory services to or through various investment products and programs. The business and other connections of the officers and directors of AMG Funds LLC are listed in Schedules A and D of its Form ADV as currently on file with the SEC, the text of which Schedules are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The file number of this Form ADV is 801-56365.
AMG Funds LLC has hired one or more Subadvisor(s) for each series of the Trust. The business and other connections of the officers and directors of each Subadvisor are listed in their respective Schedules A and D of their Forms ADV as currently on file with the SEC, the text of which Schedules are hereby incorporated herein by reference. The file numbers of said Forms ADV are listed below. Except for Skyline Asset Management, L.P., each of the Subadvisors is majority owned by AMG and is an affiliate of AMG Funds LLC and the Registrant.
Subadvisor |
File Number |
Funds |
||
TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC | 801-63492 | AMG TimesSquare Mid Cap Growth Fund; AMG TimesSquare Small Cap Growth Fund; AMG TimesSquare International Small Cap Fund; AMG TimesSquare Emerging Markets Small Cap Fund; AMG TimesSquare Global Small Cap Fund | ||
Skyline Asset Management, L.P. | 801-49603 | AMG Managers Skyline Special Equities Fund | ||
GW&K Investment Management, LLC | 801-61559 | AMG GW&K Small Cap Core Fund; AMG GW&K Municipal Enhanced Yield Fund; AMG GW&K Municipal Bond Fund; AMG GW&K Small/Mid Cap Fund; AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund; AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund | ||
The Renaissance Group LLC | 801-50177 | AMG Renaissance Large Cap Growth Fund | ||
Yacktman Asset Management LP | 801-41058 | AMG Yacktman Focused Fund; AMG Yacktman Fund; AMG Yacktman Special Opportunities Fund; AMG Yacktman Focused Fund Security Selection Only | ||
SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC | 801-71849 | AMG SouthernSun Small Cap Fund; AMG SouthernSun U.S. Equity Fund |
Item 32. Principal Underwriters.
(a) |
AMG Distributors, Inc. acts as principal underwriter for the Registrant. AMG Distributors, Inc. also acts as principal underwriter for AMG Funds I (formerly Managers Trust I), AMG Funds II (formerly Managers Trust II), AMG Funds III (formerly The Managers Funds), AMG Funds IV (formerly Aston Funds), AMG Pantheon Fund, LLC, Tweedy, Browne Fund Inc. and Tweedy, Browne Value Funds SICAV (an offshore fund series not offered to U.S. persons). |
(b) |
The following information relates to the directors, officers and partners of AMG Distributors, Inc.: |
Name and Principal
|
Positions and Offices
|
Positions and Offices with Funds |
||
Dean A. Maines
c/o Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. 600 Hale Street Prides Crossing, Massachusetts 01965 |
Director | None |
13
Name and Principal
|
Positions and Offices
|
Positions and Offices with Funds |
||
David M. Billings
c/o Affiliated Managers Group, Inc. 600 Hale Street Prides Crossing, Massachusetts 01965 |
Director and Secretary | None | ||
Keitha L. Kinne
c/o AMG Funds LLC 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300 Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 |
President, Principal and Chief Operating Officer | President, Chief Executive Officer, Principal Executive Officer and Chief Operating Officer | ||
Patrick Spellman
c/o AMG Funds LLC 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300 Greenwich, Connecticut 06830 |
Chief Compliance Officer | Anti-Money Laundering Compliance Officer |
(c) |
Not applicable. |
Item 33. Location of Accounts and Records.
The accounts, books or other documents required to be maintained by Section 31(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 and the rules thereunder are kept by the Registrant, each Subadvisor, and the listed entities at the following offices:
(1) |
At the offices of the Registrant at 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, at the offices of AMG Funds LLC, 600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300, Greenwich, Connecticut 06830, at the offices of the Custodian, The Bank of New York Mellon, 111 Sander Creek Parkway 2nd Floor, East Syracuse, New York 13057, and at the offices of the Transfer Agent, BNY Mellon Investment Servicing (US) Inc., 301 Bellevue Parkway, Wilmington, Delaware 19809. |
(2) |
Skyline Asset Management, L.P., 120 S. LaSalle Street, Suite 1400, Chicago, Illinois 60603. |
(3) |
TimesSquare Capital Management, LLC, 7 Times Square, 42nd Floor, New York, New York 10036. |
(4) |
GW&K Investment Management, LLC, 222 Berkeley Street, 15th Floor, Boston, Massachusetts 02116. |
(5) |
The Renaissance Group LLC, 50 East RiverCenter Boulevard, Suite 1200, Covington, Kentucky 41011. |
(6) |
Yacktman Asset Management LP, 6300 Bridgepoint Parkway, Building 1, Suite 500, Austin, Texas 78730-5073. |
(7) |
SouthernSun Asset Management, LLC, 240 Madison Avenue, Suite 700, Memphis, Tennessee 38103. |
Item 34. Management Services.
Not applicable.
Item 35. Undertakings.
None.
14
SIGNATURES
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act of 1933 and the Investment Company Act of 1940, each as amended, AMG Funds certifies that it meets all of the requirements for effectiveness of this registration statement under Rule 485(b) under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended, and has duly caused this amendment to the registration statement to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, duly authorized, in the Town of Greenwich, and State of Connecticut, on the 28th day of February, 2020.
AMG FUNDS | ||
By: |
/s/ Thomas Disbrow
|
|
Thomas Disbrow | ||
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, and | ||
Principal Financial Officer |
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Act, this amendment to the registration statement has been signed below by the following persons in the capacities and on the date indicated:
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
/s/ Bruce B. Bingham* Bruce B. Bingham |
Trustee | February 28, 2020 | ||
/s/ Christine C. Carsman* Christine C. Carsman |
Trustee | February 28, 2020 | ||
/s/ Edward J. Kaier* Edward J. Kaier |
Trustee | February 28, 2020 | ||
/s/ Kurt A. Keilhacker* Kurt A. Keilhacker |
Trustee | February 28, 2020 | ||
/s/ Steven J. Paggioli* Steven J. Paggioli |
Trustee | February 28, 2020 | ||
/s/ Richard F. Powers III* Richard F. Powers III |
Trustee | February 28, 2020 | ||
/s/ Eric Rakowski* Eric Rakowski |
Trustee | February 28, 2020 | ||
/s/ Victoria L. Sassine* Victoria L. Sassine |
Trustee | February 28, 2020 | ||
/s/ Thomas R. Schneeweis* Thomas R. Schneeweis |
Trustee | February 28, 2020 | ||
/s/ Keitha L. Kinne Keitha L. Kinne |
President and Principal Executive Officer (Principal Executive Officer) | February 28, 2020 |
Signature |
Title |
Date |
||
/s/ Thomas Disbrow Thomas Disbrow |
Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, and Principal Financial Officer (Principal Accounting Officer) (Principal Financial Officer) |
February 28, 2020 |
*By: |
/s/ Thomas Disbrow |
|
Thomas Disbrow |
Pursuant to Powers of Attorney incorporated herein by reference to Post-Effective Amendment No. 198 to the Registrants Registration Statement on Form N-1A, Registration Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521 (filed April 30, 2018)
Date: February 28, 2020
AMG Funds
Exhibit Index
Exhibit No. |
Description |
|
d.25 | Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund. | |
d.40 | Subadvisory Agreement between AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund. | |
h.10 | Form of Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Registrant and AMG Funds LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund. | |
h.29 | Form of Advisory and Subadvisory Fee Waiver Agreement among the Registrant, AMG Funds LLC and GW&K Investment Management, LLC with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund. | |
j.1 | Consent of PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP. |
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 16th day of April, 2019, between AMG Funds LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the state of Delaware and having its principal place of business in Greenwich, Connecticut (the Adviser) and GW&K INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and having its principal place of business at 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (the Subadviser).
WHEREAS, the Adviser is engaged principally in the business of rendering investment management services and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act); and
WHEREAS, the Subadviser is engaged principally in the business of rendering investment management services and is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act; and
WHEREAS, AMG FUNDS, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is so registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act); and
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Trust offers shares in a series, AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund (the Fund); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement, dated as of October 19, 1999, between the Trust and the Adviser, as amended (the Advisory Agreement), the Adviser is required to perform investment advisory services for the Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, WITNESSETH: That it is hereby agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. |
APPOINTMENT OF SUBADVISER. |
The Adviser hereby employs the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Fund for the period and on the terms herein set forth. The Subadviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
2. |
DUTIES OF ADVISER AND SUBADVISER. |
(i) Delivery of Documents. The Adviser has furnished the Subadviser with true copies of each of the following:
(a) The Trusts Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as filed with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all amendments and supplements thereto (such Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as presently in effect and as it shall from time to time be amended or supplemented, is herein called the Declaration);
(b) The Trusts By-Laws and amendments and supplements thereto (such By-Laws, as presently in effect and as it shall from time to time be amended and supplemented, is herein called the By-Laws);
(c) Resolutions of the Trusts Board of Trustees authorizing the appointment of the Adviser and Subadviser and approving the Advisory Agreement and this Agreement and copies of the minutes of the initial meeting of shareholders of the Fund;
(d) The Trusts Registration Statement and each Post-Effective Amendment thereto on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended (the 1933 Act) and the 1940 Act (File Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521) with respect to the Fund as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and all amendments thereto (the Registration Statement);
(e) The most recent prospectus (such prospectus, as in effect from time to time and all amendments and supplements thereto are herein called a Prospectus) of the Fund;
(f) All resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust pertaining to the objectives, investment policies and investment restrictions of the Fund; and
(g) Copies of the executed Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser relating to the Fund.
The Adviser will furnish the Subadviser from time to time with copies of all amendments of or supplements to items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) to the extent such amendments or supplements relate to or affect the obligations of the Subadviser hereunder with respect to the Fund.
2
(ii) The Subadviser, at its own expense, shall furnish the following services to the Trust with respect to the Fund:
(a) Investment Program. The Subadviser is hereby authorized and directed and hereby agrees, subject to the stated investment objective and policies of the Fund as set forth in the Trusts current Registration Statement and subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, to (i) develop and furnish continuously an investment program and strategy for the Fund in compliance with the Funds investment objective and policies as set forth in the Trusts current Registration Statement, (ii) provide research and analysis relative to the investment program and investments of the Fund, (iii) determine (subject to the overall supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust) what investments shall be purchased, held, sold or exchanged by the Fund and what portion, if any, of the assets of the Fund shall be held in cash or cash equivalents, and (iv) make changes on behalf of the Trust in the investments of the Fund. In accordance with paragraph 2(ii)(b), the Subadviser shall arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investments for the Funds account and will exercise full discretion and act for the Trust in the same manner and with the same force and effect as the Trust might or could do with respect to such purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or transactions. The Subadviser will make its officers and employees available to meet with the Advisers officers and directors on due notice at reasonable times to review the investments and investment program of the Fund in the light of current and prospective economic and market conditions. The Subadviser is authorized on behalf of the Fund to enter into agreements and execute any documents required to make investments pursuant to the Prospectus as may be amended from time to time. The Subadvisers responsibility for providing portfolio management services hereunder shall be limited to only those assets of the Fund which the Adviser determines to allocate to the Subadviser (those assets being referred to as the Fund Account), and the Subadviser agrees that it shall not consult with any investment advisor(s) (within the meaning of the 1940 Act) to the Fund or any other registered investment company or portfolio series thereof under common control with the Fund concerning transactions for the Fund Account in securities or other assets such that the exemptions under Rule 10f-3, Rule 12d-3 and/or Rule 17a-10 under the 1940 Act would not be available with respect to the Fund.
3
The Subadviser shall exercise voting authority with respect to proxies that the Fund is entitled to vote by virtue of the ownership of assets attributable to that portion of the Fund for which the Subadviser has investment management responsibility; provided that the exercise of such authority shall be subject to periodic review by the Adviser and the Trustees of the Trust; provided, further that such authority may be revoked in whole or in part by the Adviser if required by applicable law. The Subadviser shall exercise its proxy voting authority hereunder in accordance with such proxy voting policies and procedures as the Trust may designate from time to time. The Subadviser shall provide such information relating to its exercise of proxy voting authority hereunder (including the manner in which it has voted proxies and its resolution of conflicts of interest) as reasonably requested by the Adviser from time to time.
In the performance of its duties hereunder, the Subadviser is and shall be an independent contractor and except as expressly provided for herein or otherwise expressly provided or authorized shall have no authority to act for or represent the Fund or the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed to be an agent of the Fund, the Trust or of the Adviser. If any occasion should arise in which the Subadviser gives any advice to its clients concerning the shares of a Fund, the Subadviser will act solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of the Trust or the Fund.
(b) Portfolio Transactions. In connection with the management of the investment and reinvestment of the Fund, the Subadviser, acting by its own officers, directors or employees or by a duly authorized subcontractor, is authorized to select the broker or dealers that will execute purchase and sale transactions for the Trust.
In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, if any, the Subadviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of the Fund the best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Subadviser shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in and the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, with respect to the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker or dealer, if any, to execute a particular transaction, the Subadviser may also consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) provided to the Subadviser with respect to the Fund and/or other accounts over which the Subadviser exercises investment discretion. The Subadviser may pay to a broker or
4
dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Subadviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided.
The Subadviser may buy securities for the Fund at the same time it is selling such securities for another client account and may sell securities for the Fund at the time it is buying such securities for another client account. In such cases, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, and in compliance with such procedures of the Trust as may be in effect from time to time, the Subadviser may effectuate cross transactions between the Fund and such other account if it deems this to be advantageous. The Subadviser also may cause the Fund to enter into other types of investment transactions (e.g., a long position on a particular securities index) at the same time it is causing other client accounts to take opposite economic positions (e.g., a short position on the same index).
On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, and in compliance with such procedures of the Trust as may be in effect from time to time, may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased in order to obtain the best execution and lower brokerage commissions, if any. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such clients.
The Subadviser will advise the Funds custodian or such depository or agents as may be designated by the custodian and the Adviser promptly of each purchase and sale of a portfolio security, specifying the name of the issuer, the description and amount or number of shares of the security purchased, the market price, the commission and gross or net price, the trade date and settlement date and the identity of the effecting broker or dealer. The Subadviser shall not have possession or custody of any Fund investments. The Trust shall be responsible for all custodial agreements and the payment of all custodial charges and fees and, upon the Subadviser giving proper instructions to the custodian, the Subadviser shall have no responsibility or liability for the acts, omissions or other conduct of the custodian.
5
The Subadviser shall, upon due notice from the Adviser, provide such periodic and special reports describing any such research, advice or other services received and the incremental commissions, net price or other consideration to which they relate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subadviser agrees that the Adviser shall have the right by written notice to identify securities that may not be purchased on behalf of the Fund and/or brokers and dealers through which portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may not be effected, including, without limitation, brokers or dealers affiliated with the Adviser. The Subadviser shall refrain from purchasing such securities for the Fund or directing any portfolio transaction to any such broker or dealer on behalf of the Fund, unless and until the written approval of the Adviser to do so is obtained, but the Subadviser shall not be liable to the Fund for so acting. In addition, the Subadviser agrees that it shall not direct portfolio transactions for the Fund through any broker or dealer that is an affiliated person of the Subadviser (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act or interpreted under applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission) without the prior written approval of the Adviser, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Adviser agrees that it will provide the Subadviser with a list of brokers and dealers that are affiliated persons of the Fund.
(c) Reports. The Subadviser shall render to the Board of Trustees of the Trust such periodic and special reports as the Board of Trustees may request with respect to matters relating to the duties of the Subadviser set forth herein.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Subadviser shall have the right to engage a third-party for purposes of providing proxy advisory and/or voting services.
3. |
SUBADVISORY FEE. |
For the services to be provided by the Subadviser as provided in Paragraph 2 hereof, the Adviser shall pay to the Subadviser an annual fee as set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement.
In the case of commencement or termination of this Agreement with respect to the Fund during any calendar month, the fee with respect to the Fund for that month shall be reduced proportionately based upon the number of calendar days during which it is in effect, and the fee shall be computed during the average daily net assets of the Fund for the days during which it is in effect.
6
4. |
EXPENSES. |
During the term of this Agreement, the Subadviser will bear all expenses incurred by it in the performance of its duties hereunder, other than those expenses specifically assumed by the Trust hereunder. Subject to any expense limitation agreement as in effect from time to time with respect to the Fund, the Trust shall assume and shall pay (i) issue and transfer taxes chargeable to the Trust in connection with securities transactions to which the Fund is a party, and (ii) interest on borrowed money, if any. In addition to these expenses, the Trust shall pay all brokers and underwriting commissions chargeable to the Trust in connection with the securities transactions to which the Fund is a party.
5. |
COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATIONS. |
In performing its duties hereunder, the Subadviser
(i) shall establish compliance procedures (copies of which shall be provided to the Adviser, and shall be subject to review and approval by the Adviser) reasonably calculated to ensure compliance at all times with: all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act, and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder; Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; the provisions of the Registration Statement; the provisions of the Declaration and the By-Laws of the Trust, as the same may be amended from time to time; and any other applicable provisions of state, federal or foreign law.
(ii) acknowledges that the Trust has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and that the Subadviser and certain of its employees, officers and directors may be subject to reporting requirements thereunder and, accordingly, agrees that it shall, on a timely basis, furnish, and shall cause its employees, officers and directors to furnish, to the Adviser and/or to the Trust, all reports and information required to be provided under such code of ethics with respect to such persons.
(iii) agrees that it will maintain for the Trust all and only such records as required under Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the 1940 Act in respect to its services hereunder and that such records are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust any such records upon the Trusts request all in accordance with Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act.
7
6. |
LIABILITY OF SUBADVISER; INDEMNIFICATION. |
Neither the Subadviser nor the officers, directors, employees, agents, or legal representatives (collectively, Related Persons) of the Subadviser shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any loss suffered by the Fund or its shareholders in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates; provided that, except as set forth in the succeeding paragraph, no provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Subadviser or its Related Persons against any liability to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or the reckless disregard of the Subadvisers obligations and duties (each of which is hereby referred to as a Culpable Act) under this Agreement.
Neither the Subadviser nor its Related Persons shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any loss suffered by the Adviser or its Related Persons in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates; provided that this provision shall not be deemed to protect the Subadviser or its Related Persons against any liability to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any Culpable Act by the Subadviser or its Related Persons.
The Adviser shall indemnify the Subadviser and its Related Persons and hold them harmless from and against any and all actions, suits or claims whether groundless or meritorious and from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liabilities (collectively, Damages) arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with the performance of services by the Subadviser or its Related Persons hereunder to the extent such Damages result from any Culpable Act of the Adviser or any Related Person of the Adviser.
The Subadviser shall indemnify the Adviser and its Related Persons from and against any Damages arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with the performance of services by the Adviser or its Related Persons under this Agreement or the Advisory Agreement, in each case, to the extent such Damages result from any Culpable Act of the Subadviser or any of its Related Persons.
7. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. |
(a) Adviser. The Adviser represents and warrants to the Subadviser that (i) the retention of the Subadviser by the Adviser as contemplated by this Agreement is authorized by the respective governing documents of the Trust and the Adviser; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of each of this Agreement and the Advisory Agreement does not violate any obligation by which the Trust or the Adviser or their respective property is bound, whether arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise; and (iii) each of this Agreement and the Advisory Agreement has been duly authorized by appropriate action of the Trust and the Adviser and when executed and delivered by the Adviser will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust and
8
the Adviser, enforceable against the Trust and Adviser in accordance with its terms hereof subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or law).
(b) Subadviser. The Subadviser represents and warrants to the Adviser that (i) the retention of the Subadviser by the Adviser as contemplated by this Agreement is authorized by the Subadvisers governing documents; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not violate any obligation by which the Subadviser or its property is bound, whether arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise; and (iii) this Agreement has been duly authorized by appropriate action of the Subadviser and when executed and delivered by the Subadviser will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Subadviser, enforceable against the Subadviser in accordance with its terms hereof, subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or law).
8. |
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. |
(a) Duration. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund on April 16, 2019 (the Effective Date). Unless terminated as herein provided, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for two years from the Effective Date. Subsequent to such initial periods of effectiveness, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for periods of one year thereafter with respect to the Fund so long as such continuance with respect to the Fund is approved at least annually (a) by either the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, and (b) in either event, by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by agreement of the parties, provided that the amendment shall be approved both by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose, and, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust in the manner required by the 1940 Act.
(c) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Fund at any time, without payment of any penalty, (i) by vote of the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, (ii) by the Adviser, or (iii) by the Subadviser, in each case on sixty (60)
9
days prior written notice to the other party. Upon the effective date of termination of this Agreement, the Subadviser shall deliver all books and records of the Trust or the Fund held by it (i) to such entity as the Trust may designate as a successor, or (ii) to the Adviser.
(d) Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Subadviser shall notify the Trust in writing sufficiently in advance of any proposed change of control, as defined in Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act, as will enable the Trust to consider whether an assignment under the 1940 Act will occur, and to take the steps necessary to enter into a new contract with the Subadviser or such other steps as the Trustees of the Trust may deem appropriate.
(e) Approval, Amendment or Termination by Individual Fund. Any approval, amendment or termination of this Agreement by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund shall be effective to continue, amend or terminate this Agreement with respect to any such Fund notwithstanding (i) that such action has not been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of any other Fund affected thereby, and (ii) that such action has not been approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, unless such action shall be required by any applicable law or otherwise.
9. |
SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. |
The services of the Subadviser to the Adviser in connection with the Fund hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its services hereunder are not impaired thereby. It is understood that the persons employed by the Subadviser to assist in the performance of its duties hereunder will not devote their full time to such services and nothing hereunder contained shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Subadviser to engage in or devote time and attention to other businesses or to render services of whatever kind or nature.
10. |
RESERVATION OF NAME. |
The parties hereby acknowledge that AMG Funds LLC has reserved the right to grant the nonexclusive use of the name AMG or AMG Funds or any derivative thereof to any other investment company, investment adviser, distributor or other business enterprise, and to withdraw from the Trust the use of the name AMG or AMG Funds. The name AMG or AMG Funds will continue to be used by the Trust so long as such use is mutually agreeable to AMG Funds LLC and the Trust. The Subadviser and the Trust acknowledge that the Trust shall cease using the name AMG or AMG Funds as a part of the Trusts name and that the Subadviser, the Trust
10
or the Fund, or any of their affiliates, shall not promote the Trust or the Fund or conduct the business of the Trust or the Fund in any way in such name if this Agreement is terminated for any reason and the Adviser does not expressly consent in writing to such use of the name AMG or AMG Funds. Future names adopted by the Trust for itself or the Fund, insofar as such names include identifying words requiring the consent of the Adviser, shall be the property of the Adviser and shall be subject to the same terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the above, AMG Funds LLC consents to the use of its name, including in connection with the name of the Trust or the Fund, in a representative client list in connection with the completion of marketing materials.
11. |
MISCELLANEOUS. |
(a) Notices. All notices or other communications given under this Agreement shall be made by guaranteed overnight delivery, telecopy or certified mail; notice is effective when received. Notice shall be given to the parties at the following addresses:
The Adviser: AMG Funds LLC
600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
Facsimile No.:
Attention: Legal and Compliance Department
Subadviser: GW&K Investment Management, LLC
222 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Facsimile No.:
Attention: Compliance Officer
(b) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder shall not be thereby affected.
(c) Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(d) Counterparties. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(e) Entire Agreement. This Agreement states the entire agreement of the parties hereto, and is intended to be the complete and exclusive statement of the terms hereof. It may not be added to or changed orally, and may not be modified or rescinded except by a writing signed by the parties hereto and in accordance with the 1940 Act, when applicable.
11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Adviser and the Subadviser have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first set forth above.
AMG FUNDS LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Keitha L. Kinne |
|
Name: Keitha L. Kinne Title: Chief Operating Officer |
GW&K Investment Management, LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ T. Williams Roberts, III |
|
Name: T. Williams Roberts, III Title: Co-President |
Acknowledged and agreed to as of the date first set forth above with respect to the Trusts obligations under this Agreement.
AMG FUNDS | ||
By: |
/s/ Keitha L. Kinne |
|
Name: Keitha L. Kinne Title: Chief Operating Officer |
12
SCHEDULE A
AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund
The Adviser shall pay to the Subadviser an annual gross investment Subadvisory fee equal to [ ]% per annum of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such fee shall be accrued daily and paid as soon as practical after the last day of each calendar month.
The Subadviser may voluntarily waive all or a portion of the Subadvisory fee payable from time to time hereunder. The Adviser agrees that, during any period in which the Subadviser has voluntarily waived all or a portion of the Subadvisory fee hereunder, if requested by the Subadviser, the Adviser will waive an equal amount (or such lesser amount as the Subadviser may request) of the advisory fee payable by the Trust to the Adviser with respect to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
The Subadviser agrees that, during any period in which the Adviser has waived all or a portion of the advisory fee payable by the Trust to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund, if requested by the Adviser, the Subadviser will waive a pro rata share (or such lesser share as the Adviser may request) of the Subadvisory fee payable hereunder with respect to the Fund, such that the amount waived by the Subadviser shall bear the same ratio to the total amount of the subadvisory fees payable hereunder with respect to the Fund as the amount waived by the Adviser bears to all fees payable to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund.
The Adviser agrees that, in addition to any amounts otherwise payable to the Subadviser with respect to the Fund hereunder, the Adviser shall pay the Subadviser all amounts previously waived by the Subadviser with respect to the Fund to the extent that such amounts are subsequently paid by the Trust to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, it being further agreed that, with respect to any such amounts subsequently paid by the Trust to the Adviser, the amount to be paid by the Adviser to the Subadviser shall bear the same ratio to the total amount paid by the Trust as the total amount previously waived by the Subadviser bears to the total amount of the fees previously waived by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund.
The Subadviser agrees that, during any period in which the Adviser has agreed to pay or reimburse the Trust for expenses of the Fund, if requested by the Adviser, the Subadviser shall pay or reimburse the Trust for the entire amount of all such expenses of the Fund (or such lesser amount as the Adviser may request). The Adviser agrees that, in addition to any amounts otherwise payable to the Subadviser with respect to the Fund hereunder, the Adviser shall pay the Subadviser all amounts previously paid or reimbursed by the Subadviser with respect to the Fund to the extent that such amounts are subsequently paid by the Trust to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement.
13
SUBADVISORY AGREEMENT
AGREEMENT made as of the 16th day of April, 2019, between AMG Funds LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the state of Delaware and having its principal place of business in Greenwich, Connecticut (the Adviser) and GW&K INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC, a limited liability company organized under the laws of the State of Delaware and having its principal place of business at 222 Berkeley Street, Boston, Massachusetts 02116 (the Subadviser).
WHEREAS, the Adviser is engaged principally in the business of rendering investment management services and is registered as an investment adviser under the Investment Advisers Act of 1940, as amended (the Advisers Act); and
WHEREAS, the Subadviser is engaged principally in the business of rendering investment management services and is registered as an investment adviser under the Advisers Act; and
WHEREAS, AMG FUNDS, a Massachusetts business trust (the Trust), engages in business as an open-end management investment company and is so registered under the Investment Company Act of 1940, as amended (the 1940 Act); and
WHEREAS, the Trust is authorized to issue shares of beneficial interest in separate series, with each such series representing interests in a separate portfolio of securities and other assets; and
WHEREAS, the Trust offers shares in a series, AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Wealth Equity Fund (the Fund); and
WHEREAS, pursuant to an Investment Management Agreement, dated as of October 19, 1999, between the Trust and the Adviser, as amended (the Advisory Agreement), the Adviser is required to perform investment advisory services for the Fund.
NOW, THEREFORE, WITNESSETH: That it is hereby agreed between the parties hereto as follows:
1. |
APPOINTMENT OF SUBADVISER. |
The Adviser hereby employs the Subadviser to provide investment advisory services to the Fund for the period and on the terms herein set forth. The Subadviser accepts such appointment and agrees to render the services herein set forth, for the compensation herein provided.
2. |
DUTIES OF ADVISER AND SUBADVISER. |
(i) Delivery of Documents. The Adviser has furnished the Subadviser with true copies of each of the following:
(a) The Trusts Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as filed with the Secretary of State of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and all amendments and supplements thereto (such Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust, as presently in effect and as it shall from time to time be amended or supplemented, is herein called the Declaration);
(b) The Trusts By-Laws and amendments and supplements thereto (such By-Laws, as presently in effect and as it shall from time to time be amended and supplemented, is herein called the By-Laws);
(c) Resolutions of the Trusts Board of Trustees authorizing the appointment of the Adviser and Subadviser and approving the Advisory Agreement and this Agreement and copies of the minutes of the initial meeting of shareholders of the Fund;
(d) The Trusts Registration Statement and each Post-Effective Amendment thereto on Form N-1A under the Securities Act of 1933 as amended (the 1933 Act) and the 1940 Act (File Nos. 333-84639 and 811-09521) with respect to the Fund as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission and all amendments thereto (the Registration Statement);
(e) The most recent prospectus (such prospectus, as in effect from time to time and all amendments and supplements thereto are herein called a Prospectus) of the Fund;
(f) All resolutions of the Board of Trustees of the Trust pertaining to the objectives, investment policies and investment restrictions of the Fund; and
(g) Copies of the executed Advisory Agreement between the Trust and the Adviser relating to the Fund.
The Adviser will furnish the Subadviser from time to time with copies of all amendments of or supplements to items (a), (b), (c), (d), (e), (f), and (g) to the extent such amendments or supplements relate to or affect the obligations of the Subadviser hereunder with respect to the Fund.
2
(ii) The Subadviser, at its own expense, shall furnish the following services to the Trust with respect to the Fund:
(a) Investment Program. The Subadviser is hereby authorized and directed and hereby agrees, subject to the stated investment objective and policies of the Fund as set forth in the Trusts current Registration Statement and subject to the supervision of the Adviser and the Board of Trustees of the Trust, to (i) develop and furnish continuously an investment program and strategy for the Fund in compliance with the Funds investment objective and policies as set forth in the Trusts current Registration Statement, (ii) provide research and analysis relative to the investment program and investments of the Fund, (iii) determine (subject to the overall supervision of the Board of Trustees of the Trust) what investments shall be purchased, held, sold or exchanged by the Fund and what portion, if any, of the assets of the Fund shall be held in cash or cash equivalents, and (iv) make changes on behalf of the Trust in the investments of the Fund. In accordance with paragraph 2(ii)(b), the Subadviser shall arrange for the placing of all orders for the purchase and sale of securities and other investments for the Funds account and will exercise full discretion and act for the Trust in the same manner and with the same force and effect as the Trust might or could do with respect to such purchases, sales or other transactions, as well as with respect to all other things necessary or incidental to the furtherance or conduct of such purchases, sales or transactions. The Subadviser will make its officers and employees available to meet with the Advisers officers and directors on due notice at reasonable times to review the investments and investment program of the Fund in the light of current and prospective economic and market conditions. The Subadviser is authorized on behalf of the Fund to enter into agreements and execute any documents required to make investments pursuant to the Prospectus as may be amended from time to time. The Subadvisers responsibility for providing portfolio management services hereunder shall be limited to only those assets of the Fund which the Adviser determines to allocate to the Subadviser (those assets being referred to as the Fund Account), and the Subadviser agrees that it shall not consult with any investment advisor(s) (within the meaning of the 1940 Act) to the Fund or any other registered investment company or portfolio series thereof under common control with the Fund concerning transactions for the Fund Account in securities or other assets such that the exemptions under Rule 10f-3, Rule 12d-3 and/or Rule 17a-10 under the 1940 Act would not be available with respect to the Fund.
3
The Subadviser shall exercise voting authority with respect to proxies that the Fund is entitled to vote by virtue of the ownership of assets attributable to that portion of the Fund for which the Subadviser has investment management responsibility; provided that the exercise of such authority shall be subject to periodic review by the Adviser and the Trustees of the Trust; provided, further that such authority may be revoked in whole or in part by the Adviser if required by applicable law. The Subadviser shall exercise its proxy voting authority hereunder in accordance with such proxy voting policies and procedures as the Trust may designate from time to time. The Subadviser shall provide such information relating to its exercise of proxy voting authority hereunder (including the manner in which it has voted proxies and its resolution of conflicts of interest) as reasonably requested by the Adviser from time to time.
In the performance of its duties hereunder, the Subadviser is and shall be an independent contractor and except as expressly provided for herein or otherwise expressly provided or authorized shall have no authority to act for or represent the Fund or the Trust in any way or otherwise be deemed to be an agent of the Fund, the Trust or of the Adviser. If any occasion should arise in which the Subadviser gives any advice to its clients concerning the shares of a Fund, the Subadviser will act solely as investment counsel for such clients and not in any way on behalf of the Trust or the Fund.
(b) Portfolio Transactions. In connection with the management of the investment and reinvestment of the Fund, the Subadviser, acting by its own officers, directors or employees or by a duly authorized subcontractor, is authorized to select the broker or dealers that will execute purchase and sale transactions for the Trust.
In executing portfolio transactions and selecting brokers or dealers, if any, the Subadviser will use its best efforts to seek on behalf of the Fund the best overall terms available. In assessing the best overall terms available for any transaction, the Subadviser shall consider all factors it deems relevant, including the breadth of the market in and the price of the security, the financial condition and execution capability of the broker or dealer, and the reasonableness of the commission, if any, with respect to the specific transaction and on a continuing basis. In evaluating the best overall terms available, and in selecting the broker or dealer, if any, to execute a particular transaction, the Subadviser may also consider the brokerage and research services (as those terms are defined in Section 28(e) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934) provided to the Subadviser with respect to the Fund and/or other accounts over which the Subadviser exercises investment discretion. The Subadviser may pay to a broker or
4
dealer who provides such brokerage and research services a commission for executing a portfolio transaction which is in excess of the amount of commission another broker or dealer would have charged for effecting that transaction if, but only if, the Subadviser determines in good faith that such commission was reasonable in relation to the value of the brokerage and research services provided.
The Subadviser may buy securities for the Fund at the same time it is selling such securities for another client account and may sell securities for the Fund at the time it is buying such securities for another client account. In such cases, subject to applicable legal and regulatory requirements, and in compliance with such procedures of the Trust as may be in effect from time to time, the Subadviser may effectuate cross transactions between the Fund and such other account if it deems this to be advantageous. The Subadviser also may cause the Fund to enter into other types of investment transactions (e.g., a long position on a particular securities index) at the same time it is causing other client accounts to take opposite economic positions (e.g., a short position on the same index).
On occasions when the Subadviser deems the purchase or sale of a security to be in the best interest of the Fund as well as other clients, the Subadviser, to the extent permitted by applicable laws and regulations, and in compliance with such procedures of the Trust as may be in effect from time to time, may aggregate the securities to be sold or purchased in order to obtain the best execution and lower brokerage commissions, if any. In such event, allocation of the securities so purchased or sold, as well as the expenses incurred in the transaction, will be made by the Subadviser in the manner it considers to be the most equitable and consistent with its fiduciary obligations to the Fund and to such clients.
The Subadviser will advise the Funds custodian or such depository or agents as may be designated by the custodian and the Adviser promptly of each purchase and sale of a portfolio security, specifying the name of the issuer, the description and amount or number of shares of the security purchased, the market price, the commission and gross or net price, the trade date and settlement date and the identity of the effecting broker or dealer. The Subadviser shall not have possession or custody of any Fund investments. The Trust shall be responsible for all custodial agreements and the payment of all custodial charges and fees and, upon the Subadviser giving proper instructions to the custodian, the Subadviser shall have no responsibility or liability for the acts, omissions or other conduct of the custodian.
5
The Subadviser shall, upon due notice from the Adviser, provide such periodic and special reports describing any such research, advice or other services received and the incremental commissions, net price or other consideration to which they relate.
Notwithstanding the foregoing, the Subadviser agrees that the Adviser shall have the right by written notice to identify securities that may not be purchased on behalf of the Fund and/or brokers and dealers through which portfolio transaction on behalf of the Fund may not be effected, including, without limitation, brokers or dealers affiliated with the Adviser. The Subadviser shall refrain from purchasing such securities for the Fund or directing any portfolio transaction to any such broker or dealer on behalf of the Fund, unless and until the written approval of the Adviser to do so is obtained, but the Subadviser shall not be liable to the Fund for so acting. In addition, the Subadviser agrees that it shall not direct portfolio transactions for the Fund through any broker or dealer that is an affiliated person of the Subadviser (as that term is defined in the 1940 Act or interpreted under applicable rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission) without the prior written approval of the Adviser, which shall not be unreasonably withheld. The Adviser agrees that it will provide the Subadviser with a list of brokers and dealers that are affiliated persons of the Fund.
(c) Reports. The Subadviser shall render to the Board of Trustees of the Trust such periodic and special reports as the Board of Trustees may request with respect to matters relating to the duties of the Subadviser set forth herein.
(iii) Notwithstanding anything to the contrary in this Agreement, the Subadviser shall have the right to engage a third-party for purposes of providing proxy advisory and/or voting services.
3. |
SUBADVISORY FEE. |
For the services to be provided by the Subadviser as provided in Paragraph 2 hereof, the Adviser shall pay to the Subadviser an annual fee as set forth on Schedule A to this Agreement.
In the case of commencement or termination of this Agreement with respect to the Fund during any calendar month, the fee with respect to the Fund for that month shall be reduced proportionately based upon the number of calendar days during which it is in effect, and the fee shall be computed during the average daily net assets of the Fund for the days during which it is in effect.
6
4. |
EXPENSES. |
During the term of this Agreement, the Subadviser will bear all expenses incurred by it in the performance of its duties hereunder, other than those expenses specifically assumed by the Trust hereunder. Subject to any expense limitation agreement as in effect from time to time with respect to the Fund, the Trust shall assume and shall pay (i) issue and transfer taxes chargeable to the Trust in connection with securities transactions to which the Fund is a party, and (ii) interest on borrowed money, if any. In addition to these expenses, the Trust shall pay all brokers and underwriting commissions chargeable to the Trust in connection with the securities transactions to which the Fund is a party.
5. |
COMPLIANCE WITH APPLICABLE REGULATIONS. |
In performing its duties hereunder, the Subadviser
(i) shall establish compliance procedures (copies of which shall be provided to the Adviser, and shall be subject to review and approval by the Adviser) reasonably calculated to ensure compliance at all times with: all applicable provisions of the 1940 Act and the Advisers Act, and any rules and regulations adopted thereunder; Subchapter M of the Internal Revenue Code of 1986, as amended; the provisions of the Registration Statement; the provisions of the Declaration and the By-Laws of the Trust, as the same may be amended from time to time; and any other applicable provisions of state, federal or foreign law.
(ii) acknowledges that the Trust has adopted a written code of ethics complying with the requirements of Rule 17j-1 under the 1940 Act and that the Subadviser and certain of its employees, officers and directors may be subject to reporting requirements thereunder and, accordingly, agrees that it shall, on a timely basis, furnish, and shall cause its employees, officers and directors to furnish, to the Adviser and/or to the Trust, all reports and information required to be provided under such code of ethics with respect to such persons.
(iii) agrees that it will maintain for the Trust all and only such records as required under Rules 31a-1 and 31a-2 under the 1940 Act in respect to its services hereunder and that such records are the property of the Trust and further agrees to surrender promptly to the Trust any such records upon the Trusts request all in accordance with Rule 31a-3 under the 1940 Act.
7
6. |
LIABILITY OF SUBADVISER; INDEMNIFICATION. |
Neither the Subadviser nor the officers, directors, employees, agents, or legal representatives (collectively, Related Persons) of the Subadviser shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any loss suffered by the Fund or its shareholders in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates; provided that, except as set forth in the succeeding paragraph, no provision of this Agreement shall be deemed to protect the Subadviser or its Related Persons against any liability to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any willful misfeasance, bad faith or negligence or the reckless disregard of the Subadvisers obligations and duties (each of which is hereby referred to as a Culpable Act) under this Agreement.
Neither the Subadviser nor its Related Persons shall be liable for any error of judgment or mistake of law, or for any loss suffered by the Adviser or its Related Persons in connection with the matters to which this Agreement relates; provided that this provision shall not be deemed to protect the Subadviser or its Related Persons against any liability to which it might otherwise be subject by reason of any Culpable Act by the Subadviser or its Related Persons.
The Adviser shall indemnify the Subadviser and its Related Persons and hold them harmless from and against any and all actions, suits or claims whether groundless or meritorious and from and against any and all losses, damages, costs, charges, reasonable counsel fees, payments, expenses and liabilities (collectively, Damages) arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with the performance of services by the Subadviser or its Related Persons hereunder to the extent such Damages result from any Culpable Act of the Adviser or any Related Person of the Adviser.
The Subadviser shall indemnify the Adviser and its Related Persons from and against any Damages arising directly or indirectly out of or in connection with the performance of services by the Adviser or its Related Persons under this Agreement or the Advisory Agreement, in each case, to the extent such Damages result from any Culpable Act of the Subadviser or any of its Related Persons.
7. |
REPRESENTATIONS AND WARRANTIES. |
(a) Adviser. The Adviser represents and warrants to the Subadviser that (i) the retention of the Subadviser by the Adviser as contemplated by this Agreement is authorized by the respective governing documents of the Trust and the Adviser; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of each of this Agreement and the Advisory Agreement does not violate any obligation by which the Trust or the Adviser or their respective property is bound, whether arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise; and (iii) each of this Agreement and the Advisory Agreement has been duly authorized by appropriate action of the Trust and the Adviser and when executed and delivered by the Adviser will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Trust and
8
the Adviser, enforceable against the Trust and Adviser in accordance with its terms hereof subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or law).
(b) Subadviser. The Subadviser represents and warrants to the Adviser that (i) the retention of the Subadviser by the Adviser as contemplated by this Agreement is authorized by the Subadvisers governing documents; (ii) the execution, delivery and performance of this Agreement does not violate any obligation by which the Subadviser or its property is bound, whether arising by contract, operation of law or otherwise; and (iii) this Agreement has been duly authorized by appropriate action of the Subadviser and when executed and delivered by the Subadviser will be the legal, valid and binding obligation of the Subadviser, enforceable against the Subadviser in accordance with its terms hereof, subject, as to enforcement, to applicable bankruptcy, insolvency and similar laws affecting creditors rights generally and to general equitable principles (regardless of whether enforcement is sought in a proceeding in equity or law).
8. |
DURATION AND TERMINATION OF THIS AGREEMENT. |
(a) Duration. This Agreement shall become effective with respect to the Fund on April 16, 2019 (the Effective Date). Unless terminated as herein provided, this Agreement shall remain in full force and effect for two years from the Effective Date. Subsequent to such initial periods of effectiveness, this Agreement shall continue in full force and effect for periods of one year thereafter with respect to the Fund so long as such continuance with respect to the Fund is approved at least annually (a) by either the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, and (b) in either event, by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons (as defined in the 1940 Act) of any such party, cast in person at a meeting called for the purpose of voting on such approval.
(b) Amendment. This Agreement may be amended by agreement of the parties, provided that the amendment shall be approved both by the vote of a majority of the Trustees of the Trust, including a majority of the Trustees who are not parties to this Agreement or interested persons of any such party to this Agreement cast in person at a meeting called for that purpose, and, to the extent required by the 1940 Act, by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust in the manner required by the 1940 Act.
(c) Termination. This Agreement may be terminated with respect to the Fund at any time, without payment of any penalty, (i) by vote of the Trustees of the Trust or by vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund, (ii) by the Adviser, or (iii) by the Subadviser, in each case on sixty (60)
9
days prior written notice to the other party. Upon the effective date of termination of this Agreement, the Subadviser shall deliver all books and records of the Trust or the Fund held by it (i) to such entity as the Trust may designate as a successor, or (ii) to the Adviser.
(d) Automatic Termination. This Agreement shall automatically and immediately terminate in the event of its assignment (as defined in the 1940 Act). The Subadviser shall notify the Trust in writing sufficiently in advance of any proposed change of control, as defined in Section 2(a)(9) of the 1940 Act, as will enable the Trust to consider whether an assignment under the 1940 Act will occur, and to take the steps necessary to enter into a new contract with the Subadviser or such other steps as the Trustees of the Trust may deem appropriate.
(e) Approval, Amendment or Termination by Individual Fund. Any approval, amendment or termination of this Agreement by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities (as defined in the 1940 Act) of the Fund shall be effective to continue, amend or terminate this Agreement with respect to any such Fund notwithstanding (i) that such action has not been approved by the holders of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of any other Fund affected thereby, and (ii) that such action has not been approved by the vote of a majority of the outstanding voting securities of the Trust, unless such action shall be required by any applicable law or otherwise.
9. |
SERVICES NOT EXCLUSIVE. |
The services of the Subadviser to the Adviser in connection with the Fund hereunder are not to be deemed exclusive, and the Subadviser shall be free to render similar services to others so long as its services hereunder are not impaired thereby. It is understood that the persons employed by the Subadviser to assist in the performance of its duties hereunder will not devote their full time to such services and nothing hereunder contained shall be deemed to limit or restrict the right of the Subadviser to engage in or devote time and attention to other businesses or to render services of whatever kind or nature.
10. |
RESERVATION OF NAME. |
The parties hereby acknowledge that AMG Funds LLC has reserved the right to grant the nonexclusive use of the name AMG or AMG Funds or any derivative thereof to any other investment company, investment adviser, distributor or other business enterprise, and to withdraw from the Trust the use of the name AMG or AMG Funds. The name AMG or AMG Funds will continue to be used by the Trust so long as such use is mutually agreeable to AMG Funds LLC and the Trust. The Subadviser and the Trust acknowledge that the Trust shall cease using the name AMG or AMG Funds as a part of the Trusts name and that the Subadviser, the Trust
10
or the Fund, or any of their affiliates, shall not promote the Trust or the Fund or conduct the business of the Trust or the Fund in any way in such name if this Agreement is terminated for any reason and the Adviser does not expressly consent in writing to such use of the name AMG or AMG Funds. Future names adopted by the Trust for itself or the Fund, insofar as such names include identifying words requiring the consent of the Adviser, shall be the property of the Adviser and shall be subject to the same terms and conditions. Notwithstanding the above, AMG Funds LLC consents to the use of its name, including in connection with the name of the Trust or the Fund, in a representative client list in connection with the completion of marketing materials.
11. |
MISCELLANEOUS. |
(a) Notices. All notices or other communications given under this Agreement shall be made by guaranteed overnight delivery, telecopy or certified mail; notice is effective when received. Notice shall be given to the parties at the following addresses:
The Adviser: AMG Funds LLC
600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
Facsimile No.:
Attention: Legal and Compliance Department
Subadviser: GW&K Investment Management, LLC
222 Berkeley Street
Boston, Massachusetts 02116
Facsimile No.:
Attention: Compliance Officer
(b) Severability. If any provision of this Agreement shall be held or made invalid by a court decision, statute, rule or otherwise, the remainder shall not be thereby affected.
(c) Applicable Law. This Agreement shall be construed in accordance with and governed by the laws of the Commonwealth of Massachusetts.
(d) Counterparties. This Agreement may be executed simultaneously in two or more counterparts, each of which shall be deemed an original, but all of which together shall constitute one and the same instrument.
(e) Entire Agreement. This Agreement states the entire agreement of the parties hereto, and is intended to be the complete and exclusive statement of the terms hereof. It may not be added to or changed orally, and may not be modified or rescinded except by a writing signed by the parties hereto and in accordance with the 1940 Act, when applicable.
11
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, the Adviser and the Subadviser have caused this Agreement to be executed as of the date first set forth above.
AMG FUNDS LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ Keitha L. Kinne |
|
Name: Keitha L. Kinne Title: Chief Operating Officer |
GW&K Investment Management, LLC | ||
By: |
/s/ T. Williams Roberts, III |
|
Name: T. Williams Roberts, III Title: Co-President |
Acknowledged and agreed to as of the date first set forth above with respect to the Trusts obligations under this Agreement.
AMG FUNDS | ||
By: |
/s/ Keitha L. Kinne |
|
Name: Keitha L. Kinne Title: Chief Operating Officer |
12
SCHEDULE A
AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Wealth Equity Fund
The Adviser shall pay to the Subadviser an annual gross investment Subadvisory fee equal to [ ]% per annum of the average daily net assets of the Fund. Such fee shall be accrued daily and paid as soon as practical after the last day of each calendar month.
The Subadviser may voluntarily waive all or a portion of the Subadvisory fee payable from time to time hereunder. The Adviser agrees that, during any period in which the Subadviser has voluntarily waived all or a portion of the Subadvisory fee hereunder, if requested by the Subadviser, the Adviser will waive an equal amount (or such lesser amount as the Subadviser may request) of the advisory fee payable by the Trust to the Adviser with respect to the Fund under the Advisory Agreement.
The Subadviser agrees that, during any period in which the Adviser has waived all or a portion of the advisory fee payable by the Trust to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund, if requested by the Adviser, the Subadviser will waive a pro rata share (or such lesser share as the Adviser may request) of the Subadvisory fee payable hereunder with respect to the Fund, such that the amount waived by the Subadviser shall bear the same ratio to the total amount of the subadvisory fees payable hereunder with respect to the Fund as the amount waived by the Adviser bears to all fees payable to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund.
The Adviser agrees that, in addition to any amounts otherwise payable to the Subadviser with respect to the Fund hereunder, the Adviser shall pay the Subadviser all amounts previously waived by the Subadviser with respect to the Fund to the extent that such amounts are subsequently paid by the Trust to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement, it being further agreed that, with respect to any such amounts subsequently paid by the Trust to the Adviser, the amount to be paid by the Adviser to the Subadviser shall bear the same ratio to the total amount paid by the Trust as the total amount previously waived by the Subadviser bears to the total amount of the fees previously waived by the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement with respect to the Fund.
The Subadviser agrees that, during any period in which the Adviser has agreed to pay or reimburse the Trust for expenses of the Fund, if requested by the Adviser, the Subadviser shall pay or reimburse the Trust for the entire amount of all such expenses of the Fund (or such lesser amount as the Adviser may request). The Adviser agrees that, in addition to any amounts otherwise payable to the Subadviser with respect to the Fund hereunder, the Adviser shall pay the Subadviser all amounts previously paid or reimbursed by the Subadviser with respect to the Fund to the extent that such amounts are subsequently paid by the Trust to the Adviser under the Advisory Agreement.
13
March 1, 2020
LETTER AGREEMENT
AMG Funds (the Trust)
600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
Re: Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Letter Agreement documents (i) an undertaking by AMG Funds LLC (the Adviser) to limit the total operating expenses of AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund (formerly AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund), a series of the Trust (the Fund), and (ii) the agreement between the Adviser and the Trust regarding the extent to which the Adviser will, under certain circumstances, receive payment from the Fund as recoupment of certain amounts paid, waived or reimbursed by the Adviser with respect to the Fund in fulfillment of such undertaking by the Adviser to limit the total operating expenses of the Fund.
Effective as of March 1, 2020, and until at least March 1, 2021 (and any subsequent periods as may be designated by the Adviser by notice to the Fund), the Adviser hereby undertakes to waive its investment advisory fee payable by the Fund (but not below zero) and/or pay or reimburse the Funds expenses in order to limit the total annual operating expenses (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) of the Fund to the annual rate of 0.87% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund (this annual rate or such other annual rate that may be in effect from time to time, the Expense Cap). The Fund agrees to pay the Adviser all amounts paid, waived or reimbursed from time to time by the Adviser with respect to the Fund pursuant to this Letter Agreement or any predecessor expense limitation agreement, provided that the amount of such additional payment by the Fund in any year, together with all other expenses of the Fund, in the aggregate, would not cause the Funds total annual operating expenses (exclusive of taxes, interest (including interest incurred in connection with bank and custody overdrafts and in connection with securities sold short), shareholder servicing fees, distribution and service (12b-1) fees, brokerage commissions and other transaction costs, dividends payable with respect to securities sold short, acquired fund fees and expenses, and extraordinary expenses) in any such year to exceed either (i) the Expense Cap that was in effect at the time such amounts were paid, waived or reimbursed by the Adviser, or (ii) the Expense Cap that is in effect at the time of such additional payment by the Fund, and provided further that no additional payments by the Fund will be made with respect to amounts paid, waived or reimbursed by the Adviser more than thirty-six (36) months after the date such amounts are paid, waived or reimbursed by the Adviser.
Any payments by the Fund under this Letter Agreement shall be in addition to all amounts otherwise payable to the Adviser as an investment advisory fee, administration fee, shareholder servicing fee and/or any other fee for services to the Fund.
This Letter Agreement shall terminate: (i) in the event the Adviser ceases to be the investment adviser of the Fund; (ii) upon mutual agreement between the Adviser and the Trusts Board of Trustees; or (iii) in the event of the Funds liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund. The term Adviser as used throughout this Letter Agreement shall include any entity that is the successor to the assets and liabilities of AMG Funds LLC that is the future investment adviser of the Fund and to whom the Letter Agreement is assigned. The term Fund as used throughout this Letter Agreement shall include any entity into which AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund is reorganized and which is the successor to the accounting and performance information of AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund.
A copy of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Trust by an officer or trustee of the Trust in his or her capacity as an officer or trustee of the Trust and not individually and that the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are not binding on any of the trustees, officers or shareholders individually, but are binding only upon the assets or property of the Trust or the Fund.
Sincerely,
AMG FUNDS LLC | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: Keitha L. Kinne Title: Chief Operating Officer Date: March 1, 2020 |
ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED
AMG FUNDS
By: |
|
|
Name: Thomas Disbrow Title: Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, and Principal Financial Officer Date: March 1, 2020 |
March 1, 2020
LETTER AGREEMENT
AMG Funds (the Trust)
600 Steamboat Road, Suite 300
Greenwich, Connecticut 06830
Re: Advisory and Subadvisory Fee Waiver Agreement
Ladies and Gentlemen:
This Letter Agreement documents certain agreements by AMG Funds LLC (the Adviser), GW&K Investment Management, LLC (the Subadviser) and the Trust with respect to AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund (formerly AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund) (the Fund).
Effective as of March 1, 2020, and until at least March 1, 2021 (and any subsequent periods as may be designated by the Adviser by notice to the Fund), the Adviser hereby undertakes to waive its investment advisory fee payable by the Fund (but not below zero) and/or pay or reimburse the Funds expenses in an amount that is equal to the fees and expenses incurred indirectly by the Fund as a result of investment in shares of one or more Acquired Funds (the Fee Waiver Amount). An Acquired Fund means any company in which the Fund invests or has invested that (A) is an investment company or (B) would be an investment company under Section 3(a) of the Investment Company Act of 1940 Act, as amended (the 1940 Act), but for the exceptions to that definition provided for in Sections 3(c)(1) and 3(c)(7) of the1940 Act.
Furthermore, effective as of March 1, 2020, and until at least March 1, 2021 (and any subsequent periods as may be designated by the Subadviser by notice to the Adviser), the Subadviser hereby agrees with the Adviser that it will waive the subadvisory fee payable by the Adviser under the terms of the Subadvisory Agreement between the Adviser and the Subadviser, dated as of April 16, 2019, and as amended from time to time, in an amount that is equal to the Fee Waiver Amount.
Pursuant to an Expense Limitation and Recoupment Agreement between the Trust, on behalf of the Fund, and the Adviser, dated March 1, 2020 (the Expense Limitation Agreement), the Adviser has agreed, through at least March 1, 2021, to waive its investment advisory fee payable by the Fund (but not below zero) and/or pay or reimburse the Funds expense in order to limit the Funds total annual operating expenses (exclusive of certain excluded items) to the annual rate of 0.87% of the average daily net assets attributable to the Fund. The Fee Waiver Amount shall reduce the advisory fee after the calculation of any necessary fee waiver or expense reimbursement in connection with the Expense Limitation Agreement.
This Letter Agreement shall terminate: (i) in the event the Adviser ceases to be the investment adviser of the Fund; (ii) upon mutual agreement between the Adviser, the Subadviser and the Trusts Board of Trustees; or (iii) in the event of the Funds liquidation unless the Fund is reorganized or is a party to a merger in which the surviving entity is successor to the accounting and performance information of the Fund. The term Adviser as used throughout this Letter Agreement shall include any entity that is the successor to the assets and liabilities of AMG Funds LLC that is the future investment adviser of the Fund and to whom the Letter Agreement is assigned. The term Fund as used throughout this Letter Agreement shall include any entity into which AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund is reorganized and which is the successor to the accounting and performance information of AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund.
A copy of the Amended and Restated Agreement and Declaration of Trust of the Trust is on file with the Secretary of The Commonwealth of Massachusetts and notice is hereby given that this instrument is executed on behalf of the Trust by an officer or trustee of the Trust in his or her capacity as an officer or trustee of the Trust and not individually and that the obligations of or arising out of this instrument are not binding on any of the trustees, officers or shareholders individually, but are binding only upon the assets or property of the Trust or the Fund.
Sincerely,
AMG FUNDS LLC | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: Keitha L. Kinne Title: Chief Operating Officer Date: March 1, 2020 |
||
GW&K INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT, LLC | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: Title: Date: |
||
ACKNOWLEDGED AND ACCEPTED | ||
AMG FUNDS | ||
By: |
|
|
Name: Thomas Disbrow Title: Treasurer, Chief Financial Officer, and Principal Financial Officer Date: March 1, 2020 |
CONSENT OF INDEPENDENT REGISTERED PUBLIC ACCOUNTING FIRM
We hereby consent to the incorporation by reference in this Registration Statement on Form N-1A of our report dated December 20, 2019, relating to the financial statements and financial highlights, which appears in the Annual Report on Form N-CSR for the year ended October 31, 2019 of AMG GW&K Emerging Markets Equity Fund (formerly AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Markets Equity Fund) and AMG GW&K Emerging Wealth Equity Fund (formerly AMG GW&K Trilogy Emerging Wealth Equity Fund), two of the series constituting AMG Funds. We also consent to the references to us under the headings Disclosure of Portfolio Holdings, Financial Statements, Independent Registered Public Accounting Firm and Financial Highlights in such Registration Statement.
/s/ PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP
Boston, Massachusetts
February 28, 2020